Game #43 Recap: Caps 3 Florida 4 (OT)

The recap is the same for quite a number of games this year. The Caps come out flat, give up the lead, fight back to even, and lose in overtime. Last night the Caps allowed the Panthers a three goal lead before deciding they were going to play in this game. The only reason they were still in the game was the play of Michal Neuvirth in the Capitals net. The goalie made numerous big saves in the early going as he faced 30 shots in the first two periods. The Caps gave up goals on two 5-on-3 Florida power plays and a deflection that Nuevirth had no chance on. The Caps did come back on a two goal effort from Marcus Johansson and a goal from Mike Knuble. The story of the game was special teams as the team when 0 for 5 on the power play and gave up 3 power play goals including the game winner. With Mike Green in the box for hooking the Panthers scored a 4 on 3 overtime goal to take the extra standing point. The good news for the Capitals is in their last 9 games they have a record of 6-0-3 and have picked up 15 of 18 points in the standings.

Of Note:

• Marcus Johansson had the first two goal game of his career. He connected for the Capitals first goal off a nice rush up ice from Brian Willsie, to Johansson, to Brooks Laich and back to Johansson for the finish. His second goal was a goalmouth stuff in of a loose puck. Matt Hendricks collected the puck in the right wing corner and through the puck to the net where Johansson pushed the puck in to tie the game at 3-3.
• Mike Knuble scored on a wrist shot after Alex Ovechkin drew 3 defenders and make a nice pass hitting Knuble in stride on the right wing circle.
• The Capitals were out shot 41 to 33 in the game. 10 of Florida's shots came on the power play.
• Washington defenders blocked 22 shots with Eric Fehr leading the team with 4 on the night.
• Mike Green and Nicklas Backstrom each picked up 1 assist.
• In the OT loss Michal Nuevirth stopped 37 of 41 shots but without his effort it would have been much, much worse.

Official Recap
Game Summary
Event Summary