Panthers 3, Caps 2
Not a great period there. Florida scored three times. Brooks Laich did have a power-play goal for Caps – his seventh of the year. But Jose Theodore probably should have been in better position to see Florida’s second goal – the first NHL tally by Dmitry Kulikov. The third goal was just a matter of the Panthers working hard behind their own net and then a great pass by Kenndal McArdle to Michal Repik – who just moments earlier took a big hit from Quintin Laing at the other end of the ice. That was also his first goal of the season. Florida also received a goal from forward Michael Frolik at 1:35 of the first.
Florida leads in shots, 23-16. Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen has looked shaky on both Caps goals so this one’s definitely not over. But given that the Caps had to play shorthanded last night – especially on defense – it’s not ideal to be down a goal heading into the third period. Panthers are 0-for-2 on the power play. Caps are 1-for-3. Laich now has 18 points (7 G, 11 A) in 17 games. He had a career-best 23 G and 30 A (53 points) last season.
