CAPITALS 101

Sashas, unite.

Russian forwards Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin scored two third period goals as the Washington Capitals produced the biggest victory of its season (considering the circumstances) with an improbable third period comeback to defeat the Florida Panthers 2-1 at the BankAtlantic Center Friday night.

After Capitals 101 "Panthers Player to Watch" Tomas Fleischmann scored his 19th goal of the season to give the Cats a 1-0 lead late in the first period, there weren't many numbers that supported a Caps comeback victory.

The Caps were 5-10-2 when they allow the first goal on the road. The Panthers had a record of 18-1-6 when they scored first.

Even after Mike Knuble's disallowed goal at the end of the second period (very questionable call), the stats did not favor Dale Hunter's bunch in any way.

The Caps were 3-17-2 when facing a deficit after the second period. The Panthers had not lost in regulation when leading after two frames this year, sporting a 16-0-4 record when leading in that regard.

However ,"rock-star" Alex Ovechkin tied up the game with his 24th goal of the season on the power play less than five minutes into the final period. (Mike Knuble recorded an assist)  His good friend Alexander Semin then gave the Caps a lead about nine minutes later thanks to a solid ramp created by a Panthers defender.

While it wasn't the 4-1 score Capitals 101 predicted, it feels all the same as the Caps will have a chance to tie the Panthers for the division lead tomorrow night against the Tampa Bay Lightning. (Should really have been 3-1 with the Knuble goal) Tomas Vokoun played outstanding in stopping 22 of 23 shots to beat his former team for the third time this season.

The Caps move one point behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference at 29-23-5, and will play three games to the Panthers one over the next five days. (Bruce Boudreau's Ducks come into Florida on Sunday)

Safe to say, this creates an incredible amount of momentum heading into Tampa Bay tomorrow night.

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