Capitals Fall to Panthers in Preseason

The Washington Capitals lost a tough preseason game 4-2 to the Florida Panthers on Day 15. Washington's record is now 1-3-3 in the exhibition season. Todd Warriner scored a goal and added an assist to lead the Capitals.

Florida got off to a flying start in the first period when Rathje scored from Bondra and Nolan after just 19 seconds. The Panthers then made it 2-0 at 3:53 on Bure's goal from Weiss and Hill. The Capitals couldn't get anything right, and a pair of penalties setup the Panthers for their third of the period. Washington killed the first minor, but when Dan Snyder went to the box for boarding at 6:47, Florida took advantage quickly on Nolan's goal from Hanzus and Bondra just 10 seconds later. The Panthers continued to pour it on, and when Lehoux netted from Johnsson and Nolan at 15:40, it was 4-0.

After falling far behind in the first, Washington turned it on in the second period. The Capitals failed to score on a power play midway through the action, but Warriner opened the scoring for Washington at 14:56 from Frantisek Lukes and Andrew Ference. Artem Chubarov then made it 4-2 when he scored from Warriner and Manny Legace at 18:15. Unfortunately that was the all the goals the Capitals could muster.

Neither team scored in the final period as Washington killed off three minor penalties.

Manny Legace made 28 saves in the loss to fall to 1-2-2. Roberto Luongo made 21 saves in the win, his third of the preseason.

Washington is off on Day 16 before hosting the Philadelphia Flyers in the preseason finale.