Capitals gain one point but drop overtime game to Cats

The Washington Capitals were extremely close to leaving the sunshine state with four points. But they did come away with three. But the ending in their game Saturday night to the Florida Panthers was a disapointment.

After a scoreless first period the Panthers struck first at 4:03 in the second on a goal from Nick Cousins. At 18:31 Sonny Milano struck for a 1-1 game and his sixth goal of the year and it came on the power play. Rasmus Sandin and Max Pacioretty set them up. It came at 18:31 to set up a 1-1 game heading to the third.

Tom Wilson gave the Caps the lead with another power play goal to make it 2-1 with his 13th goal of the season. Dylan Strome and John Carlson helped out there. It came at 10:11. Aleksander Barkov at 16:30 tied it at 2. This was the third consecutive power play goal of the night combined between the teams so good night of offensive spiecial teams all around.

At 3:41 Gustav Forsling won the game for the home side. Charlie Lindgren finished his night with 26 saves on 29 shots. That included three of four saves from a Panthers power play that currently ranks fifth in the NHL. Washington's power play has jumped from flirting with last place at the start of the season to 25th right now with a success rate of 16.8 percent. Both Caps goals came on the man advantage so that helped.

While the Caps dropped to fourth in the wild card, they are six back of the Red Wings. but the clock is ticking. There are now just 26 games away from the season ending. Even less time when you account for the infamous March 8 trade deadline. So yeah they need to win their back to back on Monday and Tuesday.