SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers extended their winning form by defeating the Washington Capitals 4-2 at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday, dealing the Capitals their sixth consecutive loss. Ryan Lomberg emerged as an unlikely hero for the Panthers, scoring his first goal in 35 games to break a tie in the third period, contributing significantly to Florida’s victory.
Matthew Tkachuk played a pivotal role, adding a goal and two assists, as the Panthers (32-15-4) secured their fifth win in six games. Sergei Bobrovsky’s goaltending was crucial, as he stopped 21 shots to win his third straight start, underscoring the team’s robust defensive performance.
The Capitals (22-20-7) opened the scoring with Alex Ovechkin finding the back of the net in his signature style with a power-play slap shot from the left circle. Despite leading twice in the game, Washington couldn’t maintain their advantage, with Capitals coach Spencer Carbery emphasizing the need for consistency throughout the match.
Lomberg’s tie-breaking goal came off a perfect pass from Dmitry Kulikov, showcasing the depth and versatility of the Panthers’ roster. Eetu Luostarinen later sealed the win with an empty-net goal, ensuring the Panthers maintained their strong standing in the NHL.
The Capitals’ struggle was evident, with Darcy Kuemper facing a barrage of 37 shots, highlighting the offensive pressure applied by the Panthers throughout the game. Despite efforts from Anthony Mantha and the return of key players, Washington couldn’t halt their losing streak, now standing at 0-5-1.
Sam Reinhart’s power-play goal tied the game in the second period, continuing his impressive scoring streak, with Tkachuk assisting. Tkachuk’s performance emphasized the importance of the Panthers’ power play, which has been a consistent source of success this season.
The game also had moments of individual brilliance, with Bobrovsky denying a penalty shot from Washington’s Beck Malenstyn, and Tkachuk and Ovechkin continuing their impressive runs of form against each other.
As the Panthers look to build on their recent success, the Capitals face the challenge of regrouping and ending their skid. The Panthers’ ability to leverage contributions from across their lineup, coupled with strategic coaching, has them poised for further success. Meanwhile, the Capitals will need to find answers quickly to regain their early-season form and climb back into playoff contention.
