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Recap: Panthers 3, Capitals 2 (SO)
Panthers 3, Capitals 2 (SO): Tomas Kopecky scored in the 10th round of the shootout as host Florida recorded its fourth win in five games.
Defenseman Dylan Olsen scored to extend his point streak to five games and rookie Aleksander Barkov added his fifth goal for the Panthers, who won for the first time in nine games against Washington. Scott Clemmensen stopped 23 shots and made six straight saves in the shootout before Kopecky ended the contest.
Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist and Joel Ward snapped a 12-game scoring drought for the Capitals, who fell to 7-3 in the bonus format. Philipp Grubauer made 39 saves in regulation and overtime.
Olsen snuck down the left side and fired a wrist shot top shelf to open the scoring 2:13 into the second period. Florida defenseman Erik Gudbranson was assessed a match penalty for hitting Eric Fehr in the head with 3:44 remaining in the period, while Fehr left the game but returned in time to open the shootout with a wrist shot that fooled Clemmensen.
Backstrom got Washington on the board with a shot from the slot during 4-on-4 play 18 seconds after Gudbranson’s hit, but Barkov capitalized on a turnover by Mike Green 1:22 after that to regain the lead for Florida. Ward jammed a loose puck over the goal line on a power play to knot the contest at 2-2 in the final minute of the second.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Olsen has three goals and three assists on his point streak. … Florida D Brian Campbell led all skaters with 33:17 ice-time, marking the second consecutive time he has played more than 30 minutes. … Backstrom, Mikhail Grabovski, Jonathan Huberdeau, Brad Boyes and Nick Bjugstad all scored in the bonus format.
