Mikael Samuelsson put a shot on the net from the center line less than a minute into the period, dinking off the post and into the net. The Panthers are 15-1-6 when scoring first. It was Samuelsson’s fourth goal of the season. Tyson Strachan and sean Bergenheim each scored their first assist of the season on the play.
The Panthers went on their second power play of the night when Dennis Wideman was called for delay of game at the five minute mark. The Capitals cleared the puck three times and even managed a shorthanded shot, only allowing the Panthers one shot over the two minute duration.
The Capitals drew a penalty when Keaton Ellerby held Brooks Laich for their first power play of the night. As the power play started, Sean Bergenheim broke out of the zone for a shorthanded rush but got high sticked in the face by John Carlson, putting the action at four-on-four. Laich evened the score with his 10th goal of the season at the 11 minute mark with assists from Karl Alzner and Jason Chimera.
Hits: Capitals, 26-13
Blocked Shots: Capitals, 12-5
Faceoffs: Panthers, 18-11
Shots on Goal: Panthers, 24-18
Score: Panthers 1, Capitals 1