Capitals Fall in Game 4 Thriller

David Vyborny scored a goal and assisted on another, but it wasn't enough for the Washington Capitals in Game 4. The Florida Panthers came from behind twice to earn a 5-4 victory and tie the series 2-2. Game 5 is tonight in Florida.

Frantisek Lukes gave the Caps a great start in a fast-paced opening period with a goal from Vyborny and Radoslav Suchy at 5:56. Todd Warriner made it 2-0 less than a minute later when he netted from Andrew Ference at Greg Watson. The Panthers rallied with a pair of goals to tie the game before the intermission. Parrish got the first from Cirillo and Jarrett at 7:39, before Weiss tallied from Novoseltsev and Hoglund at 19:56. The two clubs combined for 33 shots on goal in the first.

Washington came out flying in the second period, and Vyborny's goal from Anson Carter and Frantisek Kaberle at 1:02 made it 3-2. Florida answered, however, and two goals in a 5:27 span made it 4-3 for the visitors. Stefan made it 3-3 from Jarrett and Cirillo at 5:22, and Hoglund converted from Nolan and Krajicek at 10:49. The Capitals tied the game just 27 seconds after Hoglund's goal to setup a dramatic final period. Zigmund Palffy was the scorer from Mikael Renberg and Patrick Marleau. Washington outshot Florida 17-7 in the second, but too many shots were from outside and posed little challenge to the goaltender.

With the final period winding down and overtime looming, Marek came out of nowhere to win the game for the Panthers. The goal came at 19:20 of the third from Novoseltsev and Johnsson.

Manny Legace made 28 saves in the loss. Peter Skudra stopped two shots in relief. Jamie Storr was the surprise starter for Florida and made 30 saves in the win. Roberto Luongo stopped five shots in relief.