Panthers Pounce on Capitals

The Washington Capitals continued to struggle on home ice on Day 82, and the Florida Panthers scored three times in the second period to earn a 4-3 victory. With the loss Washington falls to 14-20-5.

Washington came out with good energy in the opening period, and Anson Carter gave them the lead when he scored from Rob Blake and Todd Warriner at 11:11. Florida answered back to level the score 4:40 later on Bondra's goal from Weiss and Krivokrasov.

The Panthers turned it up in the second period, and Rathje gave the visitors their first lead when he scored from Nolan and Hill at 3:45. Bure made it 3-1 with his 15th goal of the season from Novoseltsev and Luongo at 11:07. Rathje continued the strong period at 16:22 when he scored his second of the game from Bondra and Nolan.

The Caps rallied in the final period with a pair of goals. Zigmund Palffy got the first from Warriner and Bryan Berard at 9:36, and Frantisek Lukes added a shorthanded goal from Radoslav Suchy and Jonathan Cheechoo at 17:11.

Manny Legace made 25 saves in the loss for Washington. Roberto Luongo stopped 25 shots to earn the win and improve to 19-11-2.

The Capitals return to action on Day 84 against the New York Rangers.