After clawing back, Caps fall in shootout

WASHINGTON — Red-clad fans at Capital One Arena were on their feet. This game had delivered a little bit of everything, and now it was onto the shootout. Each side had scored twice before it went to a fourth round. Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom skated up to the Panthers net and missed. Then at the sight of Jonathan Huberdeau scoring on the next turn, the crowd slumped and started to exit.

The Capitals fell behind early, then clawed their way back and then ultimately fell short against Florida in the shootout, 6-5. It was the kind of inconsistent, rollercoaster effort that’s epitomized Washington’s start to the season. For stretches, the Capitals look like the talented team that won a Stanley Cup less than five months ago, and in other moments, they look like disorganized and sloppy. As the defending champions, they’re being tested every game as a measuring stick for their opponents.

On Friday night, they were scrappy enough to force overtime and ensure they got at least one standings point. Defenseman Matt Niskanen was called for tripping with 22 seconds left in regulation, and after the team allowed two power-play goals during the game, the team killed off the four-on-three in overtime. Washington’s Dmitry Orlov hit the right post with 46 seconds left in the extra frame, and then it went to a shootout. Shootout specialist T.J. Oshie predictably scored in the shootout. Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov followed suit. Then Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov snuck a puck through goaltender Michael Hutchinson’s legs, and Florida center Nick Bjugstad missed the net on his turn. Alex Ovechkin was then stopped, and Vincent Trocheck scored, meaning a fourth round was required.