Washington is the only and final.
The Washington CapitalsThey were sent packing in Game 6 against the Stanley Cup playoff team. Florida PanthersFriday’s overtime score was 4-3
Carter VerhaegheHe scored the game-winning goal for Florida, his sixth goal in the postseason. Washington lost three straight first round games after the defeat. They have not advanced to the playoffs since 2018, when they won a Stanley Cup.
The Panthers hadn’t won a playoff Series since 1996 when they reached the Cup Final. Florida now faces the winner between the Tampa Bay LightningAnd Toronto Maple LeafsThe second round will be held. Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday at 7:05 p.m. ET.
Washington was in a difficult spot entering the playoffs. The eight seed was up against the President’s Trophy winners. Florida won the league offensively and reached a franchise-record of 122 points.
The Capitals still gave Florida everything it could handle, taking a series lead of 2-1 after Game 3.
Washington won Game 1 & 3 by a combined score 0-3. Florida’s netminder was pushed to the sidelines. Sergei BobrovskyFlorida’s team of high-octane forwards is being challenged to the limits. The Capitals had a 3-0 lead in Game 5 but let it slip to leave them with their backs against a wall.
This was a pivotal win for the Panthers. This not only gave them a lead in the series, but also calmed Washington’s growing confidence before what would be a crucial Game 6 at their home building.
Washington won Game 6 in overtime, forcing the Panthers to work for the series win.
The Capitals were also on the board at first, when Nic DowdBobrovsky was defeated in the second period. But Ryan LombergFlorida responded quickly, and it was 2-2 going into the third period.
The Capitals maintained the pressure. Nicklas BackstromIn less than two minutes, you can put them back on the top. Claude GirouxHe scored his third win of the postseason in Florida, to even things up halfway though, and was elected captain Aleksander BarkovLate in the third, the Panthers scored the decisive goal.
The Panthers are now in the second round, with the unfortunate distinction of being the only playoff team to not have scored a power-play goal. After boasting the league’s fifth best power play (24.4%) during the regular season, Florida was 0-for-19 against Washington.