The Florida Panthers earned a big win heading into the playoffs, beating the Washington Capitals 6-3 on Thursday at Capital One Arena.
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The Florida team has therefore won its first two games against the “Caps” since the start of the year. Paul Maurice’s squad will be in a frantic race for the standings with several teams, including the Capitals, with whom they are tied in the standings with 62 points.
The second period paid off for the visiting team, as they scored three goals. Aleksander Barkov restored a three-goal lead for his team by choosing the shot in a two-on-one to deceive the vigilance of Darcy Kuemper. Earlier in the period, Colin White had found the back of the net on the breakaway. Even veteran defender Marc Staal wanted to add his two cents by scoring his first of the season at the start of the second period.
Forwards Nicklas Backstrom and Evgevy Kuznetsov narrowed the gap to just one goal in the third period. Dylan Strome also scored earlier in the game.
Gustav Forsling opened the scoring in the first period, while Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart scored back-to-back into an empty net late in the game.
The Blue Jackets snatch a victory
At Nationwide Arena, the Columbus Blue Jackets upset the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 3 to 1.
Young forward Kent Johnson flashed the red light midway through the third period with a low shot that caught goaltender David Rittich off guard. It’s his third career game-winning goal.
Hometown favorites keeper Joonas Korpisalo had a strong game, signaling on 35 of 36 shots he faced, snapping the Jets’ three-game winning streak.
Patrik Laine tied the game against his former team on the power play with 10 minutes left in the second period. His accurate shot went over the goalkeeper’s left shoulder.
Yet it was the visiting formation that had opened the counters. With 1.8 seconds left in the first period, Kyle Connor fired a shot that beat the opposing goalie with a massive attack. He scored his 25th goal of the season, a mark he has reached every campaign since the second season of his career.
Boone Jenner scored the insurance goal into an empty net.
The Bruins again
At Bridgestone Arena, the Boston Bruins made short work of the Nashville Predators, triumphing 5-0.
The “Oursons” took off in the second period when Craig Smith and Derek Forbort beat opposing goaltender Juuse Saros. Quebecer Patrice Bergeron also found the back of the net in the same engagement, scoring his 19th of the campaign. He added an assist during the game.
The shutout went to Jeremy Swayman, who stopped all 28 shots he faced.
Brad Marchand blacked out the scoresheet first at the start of the first period, after 2:51. game. He demonstrated his complicity with Bergeron before firing a shot into an almost empty net.
Trent Frederic added some in the third period with his 11th of the season.