Panthers KO Capitals for first road win
WASHINGTON -- James Reimer was sharp in net and the Florida Panthers got power-play goals from Evgenii Dadonov and Vincent Trocheck to end a three-game losing streak and earn their first road victory of the season Saturday, 4-1 over the sloppy Washington Capitals.
Filling in for the injured Roberto Luongo, Reimer survived an early barrage of shots by Washington and settled in, making 41 saves for his second win. The Panthers had dropped their first three road contests, including Friday night in Pittsburgh.
Florida came into the game with just four power-play goals but found the net twice with the extra man, taking advantage of a spate of Capitals penalties. Late in the first period, Dadonov went around a sprawling Tom Wilson and beat Washington goalie Philipp Grubauer glove side to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead with 30 seconds left.
After the Capitals picked up two penalties in 15 seconds in the second period, Florida capitalized quickly on the 5-on-3 opportunity as Trocheck reeled in an Alexander Barkov pass through a sea of sticks and beat Grubauer top shelf for a 3-0 advantage and his third goal of the campaign.
The Panthers, who didn't arrive in Washington until 3 a.m. Saturday, showed no rust, scoring 86 seconds into the game when Conner Brickey beat Grubauer from point-blank range in front of the net.
Barkov added his second goal of the season, an empty-netter with 1:16 remaining in the third period. The Panthers average 40 shots on goal but made do with less Saturday, registering just 23.
Defenseman Christian Djoos scored the Capitals' lone goal in the second period. Washington tied a season high with six penalties and had 17 giveaways. Grubauer made 19 saves but remains winless in three starts this season.
NOTES: Panthers G Roberto Luongo was placed on injured reserve with a hand injury Saturday, after leaving Friday's start against Pittsburgh in the third period. Coach Bob Boughner said the injury would sideline the veteran goalie for at least a week. The Panthers recalled G Harri Sateri from AHL Springfield, where he was 0-2-0 with a 4.51 GAA in two games. ... Capitals RW T.J. Oshie played in his 600th career game. ... LW Nathan Walker and D Aaron Ness were the Capitals' scratches, while RW Owen Tippett, C Denis Malgin and D Alex Petrovic were out for Florida. ... Florida next plays Tuesday at Montreal while Washington is off until Oct. 26, when it begins a three-game Canadian swing against Vancouver.