Third-period surge propels Panthers past Capitals

Aaron Ekblad scored the go-ahead goal with 6:48 left in the third period as the Florida Panthers defeated the Washington Capitals 5-3 on Monday night in Sunrise, Fla.

Sam Reinhart also scored twice, including an empty-netter with 35 seconds left that clinched the win.

The Panthers, who are 9-3-0 over their past 12 games, also got a goal and an assist apiece from Anton Lundell and Brad Marchand. Ekblad logged an assist, too.

Marchand extended his point streak to eight games. He leads Florida in goals and assists -- 22 of each.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 22 saves to earn win No. 446, passing Terry Sawchuk for eighth place on the all-time NHL list.

The Capitals got two goals and an assist from Tom Wilson and a goal and two assists from Dylan Strome. Wilson leads the team in goals (19) and points (37).

Logan Thompson made 24 saves in a losing effort. He is 15-10-4 this season, including an 0-2-0 record against Florida.

Ekblad gave Florida the lead with his high blast from the right circle. Reinhart earned the primary assist due to his pass from behind the goal line.

The score was tied 2-2 after an active first period.

Washington, on a rush, opened the scoring just 3:53 into the game. Martin Fehervary's shot was stopped by Bobrovsky, who gave up a long rebound right to Wilson for the goal.

Florida tied it 42 seconds later on Jeff Petry's alert pass to Lundell for a tap-in goal. Eetu Luostarinen and Reinhart set up the play by working the boards, forcing a turnover.

The teams then traded power-play goals. First it was Reinhart from the right circle as he blasted a high shot over Thompson's left shoulder for a 2-1 lead at 12:45.

Then, with just 43 seconds left in the period, it was Wilson again, this time scoring from the slot after Strome's setup pass.

After a scoreless second period, Washington tallied with 16:49 left in the third. Aliaksei Protas started the play by driving the net and drawing a delayed penalty on Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola. Before the Panthers could touch the puck, Strome shot from the point, and Protas' screen kept Bobrovsky from getting to the puck.

Florida tied the score 3-3 with 13:44 left in the third as Marchand batted a rebound out of the air and into the net. Sam Bennett earned the primary assist. The goal came just one second after a Florida power play expired.

--Field Level Media