Capitals Vs Panthers February 12, 2013 Game Review

Capitals' Troy Brouwer (F) scores game winning goal against Panthers in Sunrise, FL February 12, 2013.
Photo © Wilfredo Lee / AP Photo.

Washington Capitals 6 Vs Florida Panthers 5 = Road Game OT Win

The Washington Capitals jumped to a quick lead in this game, but the Florida Panthers showed they weren't going to be a push-over at home in Florida on Tuesday - February 12, 2013.

With a sparkling shutout performance against the Panthers in the Capitals' previous game, goaltender Braden Holtby earned himself the start versus Florida. The Panthers however, were out to make up for their lackluster effort in that one. Like the Capitals, the Cats have had the better record in their own house, and they were determined to keep it that way.

Washington's best offensive player so far this season, center Mike Ribeiro scored first, four-and-a-half minutes into period one. The Capitals were in the offensive zone, during the first power-play of the game. Ribeiro seemed to show up in front of the net out of nowhere to send the puck, which came to him on an errant cross-ice pass from defenseman Tomas Kundratek, into the goal cage.

Washington had been relatively mistake free until halfway through the first period. Then, a couple breakdowns led to goals by Florida's forwards Tomas Fleischmann and Shawn Matthias. The Fleischmann goal was a deflected shot, and Matthias' shot may have been slightly screened, but could possibly have been stopped by Holtby.

Defenseman Karl Alzner scored his first goal of the season, off a face-off win early into the second period, on a scorching slap shot. Assists by forwards Eric Fehr and Joel Ward helped Alzner tie up the game at two apiece. Jonathan Huberdeau (C) and his line took advantage of missed defensive assignments by the Caps, scoring two fairly easy goals. Luckily, Washington's Matt Hendricks got another goal in between those, on a nice play involving fellow forwards Alex Ovechkin and Mike Ribeiro, keeping the Caps within one goal of the Panthers.

Huberdeau's line was at it again, a third of the way through the third period, when his linemate Drew Shore tipped in (reviewed for stick height on shot) his first of the season. It took eight-and-a-half minutes before Eric Fehr (F) matched that tip-in at the other end of the ice. Mike Green (D) and Joel Ward (F) both earned their fifth assists, for the season, on that one.

Another power-play strike by the Capitals came less than three minutes before the end of regulation. Alex Ovechkin (F) tied up the game with a slap shot goal, right after a face-off win, from the left-wing point. Ribeiro gained his third point of the game (1 G, 2 A), with his assist, while the other helper came from fellow centerman Nicklas Backstrom.

It took just 32 seconds of overtime for Washington to take the win. The play started with a bad Panthers' pass in the Capitals' end. Nicklas Backstrom (C) grabbed the puck and sent a beautiful breakaway pass to Troy Brouwer (F). Florida netminder Scott Clemmensen stopped his first try, but Brouwer tipped in his rebound for the game winner.

Finally, the Washington Capitals get a win on the road, even if it was ugly. They, also finally, now have a genuine winning streak. Hey, two in a row is a streak, and we'll take it. It's always good to beat a divisional rival, and to take two in a row from them is so sweet. Hopefully, the Caps are finally turning things around.

Game Highlights: Washington Capitals At Florida Panthers February 12, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 02/12/13: Caps players Alex Ovechkin, Braden Holtby and Eric Fehr address the media after the Caps 6-5 overtime win against the Panthers.

Adam Oates Postgame 02/12/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after the Caps 6-5 overtime win against the Panthers.

Panthers Vs Capitals 01/19/2008 Review

Photo - Getty Images

Panthers 3 - Capitals 5

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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.