Washington started out applying more pressure to Jose Theodore than did Florida against Tomas Vokoun. The Caps would end up outshooting the Panthers 7-1 through the first 6:24 of the matchup.
Florida would go on the first power play of the night when Tomas Vokoun was called for holding Tomas Kopecky with eight minutes gone in the period. Mike Knuble would serve the penalty for the Caps. Washington cleared the puck out a total of five times against only one shot allowed.
Roman Hamrlik flipped the puck over the glass for a delay of game penalty with eight minutes left in the period for Florida’s second man advantage of the night. Florida would collect one shot on goal, but were unable to break the seal on the scoreboard, as the Caps cleared the puck out four times to end the threat.
Erik Gudbranson was called for roughing with six minutes remaining to give the Caps a power play opportunity. Washington kept consistent pressure on Theodore throughout the power play, getting five shots on the goaltender plus one more off the crossbar.
With less than a minute left in the period, Stephen Weiss slowly skated into the Capitals zone on the right side, circling around Vokoun’s net and dishing it to Tomas Fleischmann (19) for a wrister over the goaltender’s left shoulder. It was Florida’s first goal on Vokoun on their 74th shot against the former Panthers in 139 minutes this season. That’s a .986 save percentage.
Hits: Washington, 16-12
Blocked Shots: Washington, 7-1
Faceoffs: Florida, 12-8
Shots on Goal: Washington, 17-12
Score: Panthers 1, Capitals 0