Photo - Getty Images .
This was one of those games that the Washington Capitals had to win, and the did. They moved ahead of the Florida Panthers in the standings by beating that same team tonight in Washington, DC. They had a few things going for them, including facing a team gutted by injuries, and they also had their own intense level of determination driving them to victory.
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Former Panther, Viktor Kozlov was first on the board with a deflection goal at 6:49. Then, David Steckel passed back to John Erskine, who sent a long range slap shot past Florida goaltender Tomas Vokoun through a three player screen just 66 seconds later. It seemed clear Washington was ready to dominate this game. Shortly after the Erskine goal, the Cap's forward Boyd Gordon got a breakaway, going all the way into the goal. Literally into the goal. However, the puck didn't make in it with him. But, a few minutes later the puck ended up in that very net anyway, as Kozlov got his second goal of the game right off the faceoff. He was first to the puck, where he grabbed it with his stick and slung it in. The Capitals ended the period ahead 3-0.
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Photo - AP / Evan Vucci
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The Panthers must have found some motivation between periods, because they started off the second a little differently than they had played in the first. Less than a minute in, Panther rookie Shawn Matthias got his first NHL goal when he deflected a Bryan Allen slapshot. Matthias was a member of Team Canada, who recently won Gold at the 2008 World Junior Championship tournament. Two of his tournament teammates, Karl Alzner and Josh Godfrey are Washington Capitals prospects. Dave Steckel then got called for hooking, putting Florida on the Power Play. Shortly after, Matthias showed why the Panthers are seventh in the league on the PP, when he got his second deflection goal on a shot from Steve Montador. The Panthers were definitely fired up now.
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Halfway through the second period, Olli Jokinen tied it up 3-3, sending a shot over Brent Johnson's left shoulder. But, less than two minutes later, Alexander Semin put the Cap's back ahead for good. He got the puck near the front of the net, waited a split second, then snapped it in between the pads of Vokoun. Washington's hulking defender, John Erskine then received a lame tripping call after a massive hit on one of the Panthers. I'm not sure who it was, and the player probably wasn't sure who he was as he cork screwed through the air. But, there was no trip. It was the hit that sent him down. Well.........eventually. About three minutes before the period ended, I expected to hear the whistle though, as Johnson had the puck long enough. But, it was hard to be sure with the crowd of players in front of his net. Somehow, Johnny kept the puck from getting in.
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Photo - AP / Evan Vucci
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At 4:36 into the third period, Florida's Ruslan Salei was called for hooking Gordon. Washington's Alex Ovechkin scored the PP goal right off the draw. It was Nicklas Backstrom, who won the draw. With four assists in the game, he had tied a Capitals rookie record set almost 30 years ago. Backstrom has to be considered for the Calder Trophy, when it comes time to pick the rookie of the season. It got a little rougher in this period. But, the Cap's can handle it. I don't understand why Washington seems to get penalties called for every little thing, while their opponents usually get away with an awful lot. Like when Quintin Laing had a Panther holding him down on the ice by sitting on him for a rather lengthy amount of time.
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The Capitals were able to hold on to the lead and get another win. The big guns, both Alex's scored. Defenceman John Erskine had another good game, offensively and defensively. Brent Johnson was pretty solid in net with 25 saves. The Capitals' puck possession time was huge, especially in the third period. Nicky was awesome as usual. A fine effort all around. The Capitals now hold third place in the Southeast Division.
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