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Capitals: Top 3 heroes against Wild

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 23: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at Capital One Arena on February 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 23: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at Capital One Arena on February 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 13: Richard Panik #14 of the Washington Capitals fights for the puck against Vladislav Kamenev #81 of the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at the Pepsi Center on February 13, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – FEBRUARY 13: Richard Panik #14 of the Washington Capitals fights for the puck against Vladislav Kamenev #81 of the Colorado Avalanche in the first period at the Pepsi Center on February 13, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Richard Panik

Richard Panik gave the Caps their first lead of the night with a nice pounce on a loose puck in the neutral zone. He raced down and fired a shot that pinged off the left post and into the net for his eighth goal of the season.

The goal came at 10:28 in the opening period. Carl Hagelin was credited with the assist as he suited up for his 600th NHL game.

“I was hoping he (Hagelin) was going to win the battle (in the neutral zone). He won it and got me pretty much on the breakaway so good job for him,” Panik told the media after the game.

“I just took a look and saw him (the goalie) a little off and I just tried to shoot his blocker (side).”

Panik talked about the importance of the homestretch coming up for the Caps.

“Everybody’s pushing for the playoffs and it’s good we got back from that slump in February and hopefully March is going to be better for us. It’s important to play good before the playoffs, you can’t just turn on the switch right before the playoffs,” said Panik.

There will be some playoff-like games on tap for the Caps this week beginning Wednesday night against the streaking Philadelphia Flyers.

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