Panthers 4, Capitals 1
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Right winger Jaromir Jagr scored a milestone goal, helping the Florida Panthers defeat the Washington Capitals 4-1 on Thursday night at the BB&T Center.
Jagr, 43, got career goal No. 731, tying him with Marcel Dionne for fourth place in NHL history. Center Brandon Pirri and defenseman Aaron Ekblad also scored for the Panthers. Rookie right winger Logan Shaw got an empty-netter with 1:08 left for his second goal in two games.
Florida's Al Montoya, who made 19 saves and improved to 4-1-1 this season, got the win over Washington's Philipp Grubauer in a battle of backup goalies. Grubauer (2-2-1) hadn't played in three weeks.
Montoya and the rest of the Florida defense nearly shut down Washington left winger Alex Ovechkin, who led the NHL in goals five times, including the past three years.
But Ovechkin managed to score with 2:08 left in the game as the Capitals had pulled Grubauer for the extra attacker.
Florida blocked 16 shots and frustrated Washington's power play (0-for-5).
The opening faceoff was delayed 17 minutes because fire-and-rescue personnel were late reporting for duty. But 51 seconds after the puck dropped, Jagr had his goal, which puts him 10 behind Brett Hull for third place.
To get his ninth goal of the season, Jagr stood in front of Grubauer and deflected the puck down and past him. That ended Jagr's eight-game scoreless slump.
Getting the primary assist on that goal was defenseman Dmitry Kulikov. He tied Bill Lindsay for 13th place on the Florida franchise list for career assists (98).
Pirri's goal, with 10:44 left in the second period, was his sixth of the season, and it came on a power play after a high-sticking penalty on Ovechkin.
Florida took advantage as Pirri took a pass from defenseman Brian Campbell and beat Grubauer with a one-timer, high to the glove side.
Ekblad's goal, his sixth of the season, occurred with 12:41 left in the third period and was set up by center Jonathan Huberdeau's cross-ice pass. Ekblad was in alone on Grubauer and lifted the puck over his glove.
NOTES: Both teams rested their standout starting goalies -- Florida's Roberto Luongo and Washington's Braden Holtby. ... Media reports indicate that the Panthers will have new uniforms and a new logo next season. There has been no official announcement, however, and no timetable as to any potential unveiling. ... Florida's uniforms have been virtually unchanged since the team entered the NHL in 1993. ... Panthers C Nick Bjugstad (upper body) missed his sixth straight game. "It's not short-term," Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said of Bjugstad's injury. ... Panthers D Alex Petrovic (ankle) is on injured reserve but is expected to resume skating later this week. ... Florida scratched LW Shawn Thornton. ... Capitals D Brooks Orpik (lower body) has been out since Nov. 10. ... Washington scratched RW Stanislav Galiev, D Aaron Ness and LW Andre Burakovsky.