Capitals Overpowered by Panthers

The Washington Capitals dropped their second straight 5-2 game on Day 15 against the Florida Panthers. Washington is now 2-4-1 on the young season.

Washington jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 5:55 of the first period, but it was all Panthers after that. Anson Carter opened the scoring from Artem Chubarov and Ivan Rachunek at 4:17, before Patrick Marleau scored from Dan Boyle and Todd Warriner 1:38 later. Florida responded with a goal of their own at 14:09. Lehoux was the scorer from Nolan and Johnsson.

The Panthers continued their comeback in the second period when Rathje leveled the game from Nolan and Bonrda at 8:40. After a trade of minor penalties, Stefan gave Florida their first lead when he scored from Daze and Krajicek at 15:36.

Florida continued to pour it on in the final period, and Hill made it 4-2 at 2:49 when he netted from Bondra and Handzus. Novoseltsev finished off the scoring just under six minutes later when he converted on passes from Bondra and Handzus.

Manny Legace had 23 saves in the loss, and Peter Skudra made four saves in relief. Milan Hnilicka stopped 30 shots to earn his first win of the season.

The Capitals are back in action on Day 16 in Los Angeles.