Capitals use 2nd-period scoring flurry to defeat Panthers

Alex Ovechkin did not get any closer to breaking the all-time goal-scoring record but had two assists in the host Washington Capitals' 6-3 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday.

Ovechkin, with 888 goals, remains seven shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky's mark.

Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson had a goal and an assist each and defenseman John Carlson along with Anthony Beauvillier, Dylan Strome and Andrew Mangiapane scored for the Capitals (47-15-8, 102 points), who have won four straight and nine of their last 10. Defenseman Martin Fehervary had two assists and Logan Thompson made 33 saves.

Sam Bennett had a goal and an assist and defenseman Seth Jones and Jonah Gadjovich produced the goals for the Panthers (42-25-3, 87 points). Vitek Vanecek stopped 25 shots.

Washington swept the three-game season series against Florida.

The Capitals scored twice in the opening minute of the second period and got another goal before the period was six minutes old for the winning margin.

Wilson broke a 3-3 tie just seven seconds into the middle period on a breakaway after taking a pass from defenseman Matt Roy off the face-off. Strome made it 5-3 at the 59-second mark when Ovechkin's pass went in off Strome's skate. Mangiapane tipped in another pass from Ovechkin 5:57 into the middle period with a delayed penalty being called and Thompson pulled for the extra skater.

The score was tied 3-3 after the first period as the two teams traded goals.

McMichael opened the scoring, 3:15 into the game and Bennett answered at 6:35.

Carlson made it 2-1 at 7:36 when his shot from the high slot went in off the skate of Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola. But Jones tied it with a one-time slap shot from the right point with 6:04 left in the period.

Beauvillier then used his speed to cut in and beat Vanecek with 5:04 remaining for a 3-2 Capitals lead. However, Gadjovich tied it once again on a shot from the slot with 4:33 left in the opening period.

--Field Level Media