The Washington Capitals secured a significant victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 5-3 win, marking their third consecutive win, as they aim to maintain their position in the Eastern Conference race. Goals were scored by McMichael, who had two, NAK, Mantha, and Sandin, with Sandin's goal giving the Capitals a 4-3 lead with less than five minutes left in the game. McMichael secured the win with an empty-net goal, his second of the game, assisted by Ovechkin, who extended his point streak to 10 games. Lindgren contributed significantly with 27 stops. The Capitals faced a setback with T.J. Oshie leaving the game due to a no-contact injury in the third period. The victory brings the Capitals closer to a playoff spot, now just five points behind. In a subsequent game against the Florida Panthers, the Capitals managed a 2-2 tie, earning a crucial point in their playoff pursuit. Goals from Cousins and Milano for the Panthers, and Wilson and Milano for the Capitals, with Wilson's goal coming with 9:49 left, kept the game competitive. The Panthers have maintained a strong record against the Capitals, with a 6-0-0 standing over the past two seasons. Despite the tie, the Capitals' position is challenged as Tampa Bay and Detroit also secured wins. Their next game is scheduled against FLA on Saturday.
Panthers improve to 6-0-0 vs. Capitals the past two seasons. Capitals get a much-needed point against a top team in the East, but lose ground with Tampa Bay and Detroit winning today.
Tie game. Carter Verhaeghe on the power play. 2-2 with 3:30 left in regulation. #FlaPanthers
#FlaPanthers tie it on a power play goal with 3:30 left
Tom Wilson showing hands and his power as a skater. Touched 22 MPH. Gave good guys a 2-1 third period lead on the road. Back-hand, five-hole with a dude on his back. #Caps trying to hang on in critical game. https://t.co/lxnwSTLEDw
Tom Wilson showing hands and his power as a skater to give the good guys a 2-1 third period lead on the road. Back-hand, five-hole with a dude on his back. Ends a 13-game goal drought for Willy. #Caps trying to hang on in critical game.
Wilson PPG gives Capitals 2-1 lead with 9:49 left and ends his 13-game goal drought.
Tom Wilson just made a beauty of a backhand move after picking up a bounce of the boards. He beat Stolarz with it. 2-1 Caps with 9:49 to go.
2-1 Capitals. Another power play goal for Washington. Tom Wilson 9:49 left in regulation.
After 40, Caps and Panthers tied 1-1 after goals from Cousins and Milano. WSH and FLA tied 15-15 in SOG.
Long Islandβs Sonny Milano taps in a feed from Rasmus Sandin on the power play β 1-1 hockey game with 1:29 to go.
Capitals tie it. Milano on the power play. 1-1 with 1:29 left in the second period. #FlaPanthers
Panthers and Capitals tied 0-0 after one. Not a lot for either team. SOG were 8-4 Washington. Caps probably happy with that first period other than their two power plays. Panthers lead the NHL in averaging 34.2 shots on goal per game and had only 4 in first, 3 at 5-on-5.
After 20, Capitals and Panthers tied 0-0. WSH up 8-4 in SOG.
The Capitals lost T.J. Oshie to injury, but Connor McMichael, Nicolas Aube-Kubel and more stepped up en route to a huge 5-3 win over the Lightning. Washington is now five points out of a playoff spot. Here are all the takeaways: https://t.co/0yvGnh2yIo
McMichael x2, NAK, Mantha and Sandin scored for the #ALLCAPS, who beat the Bolts in Tampa 5-3. Thatβs three straight wins for the Caps as they try to keep up in the East race. Lindgren with 27 stops. Oshie left with a no-contact injury in the third period. Next up: at FLA on Sat.
Big two points in regulation for Capitals, especially with Detroit coming back to win in OT tonight. Capitals have won three in a row for the first time since Dec. 17-21. Lightning have lost three in a row.
Connor McMichael scores an empty-netter to cement a #Caps victory. McMichael is heating up. First 51 games: 8 goals. Last 2 games: 4 goals. https://t.co/ocJIVquFly
Ovechkin sends McMichael in for the empty-net goal to make it 5-3 with 1:02 left. McMichael has two straight two-goal games.
McMichael adds an empty-net goal and itβs 5-3 Caps.
McMichael on the empty net. 5-2. Ovechkin assists, and extends his point streak to 10 games.
Rasmus Sandin scores with 4:59 left to give Capitals a 4-3 lead.
Sandin gives Washington a 4-3 lead with 4:59 left