Capitals rating 6, defeat Panthers to remain scorching

Wilson and Connor McMichael every had a objective and an help for the Capitals (47-15-8), who’ve gained 4 straight video games and 9 of their previous 10. They’ve an NHL-best 102 factors, lead the Carolina Hurricanes by 14 factors for first place within the Metropolitan Division and have clinched a Stanley Cup Playoff berth. Alex Ovechkin and Martin Fehervary every had two assists, and Logan Thompson made 33 saves.

“I really feel like we have been actually on our toes tonight and that led to — towards a very good however actually aggressive group — some holes,” Washington defenseman John Carlson mentioned. “Clearly, that’s what they reside and die by and after they’re clicking it’s powerful to beat. If you may make a very good play right here or there or break them down 1-on-1 right here or there, that’s whenever you get your probabilities.”

Ovechkin stays seven targets from passing Wayne Gretzky (894) for the NHL file with 12 video games remaining within the common season.

Sam Bennett had a objective and an help for the Panthers (42-25-3), who went 2-4-0 on a six-game highway journey, their longest of the season, and are tied with the Toronto Maple Leafs for the Atlantic Division lead. Vitek Vanecek made 25 saves.

“We have had a pair powerful nights right here on this highway journey,” Florida coach Paul Maurice mentioned. “It has been six video games, and also you’d prefer to be .500 or higher whenever you’re on the highway and we failed to try this, however we can’t fold the season.”

McMichael gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 3:15 of the primary interval when he deked Vanecek and slid the puck in on a breakaway.

Bennett tied it 1-1 at 6:35. Thompson went behind the online to play the puck and it caromed in entrance to Mackie Samoskevich, who handed throughout to Bennett for a shot into the open internet.

“It was a fairly wild interval,” McMichael mentioned. “I really feel like we might rating, they’d rating and vice versa.”