Trocheck goal gives Panthers emotional win over Capitals
>> SUNRISE: Vincent Trocheck scored the winning goal with 19.1 seconds left to lift the Florida Panthers over the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Thursday night, hours after victims of last week’s shooting at nearby Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were honoured with a somber video tribute.
With the score tied at 2, Trocheck redirected a shot by Jonathan Huberdeau past goaltender Braden Holtby during a power play.
Nick Bjugstad scored the tying goal for the Panthers late in the third period, and Maxim Mamin got his first NHL goal. Roberto Luongo made 33 saves in his third game since returning from a groin injury.
Andre Burakovsky had a goal and an assist, and Lars Eller also scored for the Capitals. Holtby stopped 30 shots but lost his fifth straight.
Before the game, the arena video screen showed the names and faces of each of the 17 students who were killed on Valentine’s Day in nearby Parkland. The darkened ice was then illuminated with 17 circles of light, with a student’s name inside each one.
Luongo, a Parkland resident, gave an emotional speech about the bravery of those who lost their lives trying to save others and how inspiring the students have been coping with the tragedy. Players from both teams stood for the ceremony, some wiping tears from their eyes.
It was the first home game for the Panthers since the tragedy. They had been on a road trip in Canada for the past 11 days.
Nikita Kucherov had two assists to reach 80 points this season and Tampa Bay defeated Ottawa 4-3.
Nolan Patrick scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period and Petr Mrazek made 19 saves in his Philadelphia debut, leading the streaking Flyers over Columbus 2-1.
Antti Niemi made 31 saves as hosts Montreal beat the struggling New York Rangers 3-1 to snap its six-game losing streak.