Capitals Tie Panthers

Frantisek Lukes scored a goal and assisted on another to lead the Washington Capitals to a 4-4 tie against the Florida Panthers on Day 94, extending Washington's unbeaten run to three games. The point also moves the Capitals to 16-23-7 for the season.

Washington got off to a good start on the road ice and dominated the play in the first period. Bryan Berard finally made the strong play pay off when he scored his fifth goal of the season from Zigmund Palffy and Artem Chubarov at 14:18. The Capitals outshot Florida 13-7 in the period.

The strong play from the visiting side continued in the second period, but the Panthers scored against the run of play at 9:36 to tie the game. Hill got the goal from Weiss and Bure. Washington answered with a pair of goals to open a 3-1 lead heading to the final period. Mikael Renberg scored first on an unassisted goal at 10:26. Lukes then netted from Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle at 13:09. Just like the opening 20 minutes. Washington outshot Florida 13-7.

The Panthers stormed back in the final period, and a pair of goals in the first 7:37 made it 3-3. Bondra started the rally with a power play goal from Lehoux and Daze at 3:27. Bure then tied the game from Roche at Daze just over four minutes later. The Capitals wouldn't go easily, however, and when Peter Tenkrat scored on the power play from Lukes and Boyle at 8:56, it was 4-3. Unfortunately for Washington, Florida answered Tenkrat's goal on Hill's fifth of the season at 10:18 to tie the game for good. Krivokrasov and Bondra assisted on the tally.

Manny Legace made 23 saves for the Capitals. Jamie Storr stopped 29 shots for Florida.

Washington returns to action on Day 96 against Philadelphia.