Capitals Defeat Panthers 4-1, Extending Florida's Struggles

Washington snaps two-game skid with strong third period, while Florida faces mounting challenges after recent slump.

The Washington Capitals secured a 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers in Sunrise, marking their first regular-season win there since 2019.
Florida has now lost six of its last seven games, conceding 26 goals in its five most recent defeats, as execution issues continue to plague the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson delivered a solid performance, stopping 20 of 21 shots, while Jakob Chychrun's power-play goal in the third period gave Washington the lead.
Panthers forward Sam Reinhart extended his 13-game point streak, the longest in the NHL this season, but Florida's defensive struggles remain a concern.
Washington remains competitive despite key injuries to Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and T.J. Oshie, with contributions from newly acquired players bolstering their league-leading offense.