On February 9, the Florida Panthers hosted the Washington Capitals in an NHL regular season clash that ended with a 4-2 victory for the home team. The game opened with a goal late in the first period, when Alexander Ovechkin found the net for the Capitals. Matthew Tkachuk answered in the second, pulling Florida level. Anthony Mantha briefly put Washington back in front before the end of the second period, but Sam Reinhart tied it again with a power play strike that swung momentum late in the frame.
During the final period, Florida continued pressing and found success twice more, as Ryan Lomberg and Eetu Luostarinen beat the Capitals to seal the win for the Panthers. The late burst demonstrated Florida’s steadier control of play after a tense middle frame and helped the home team secure important points in a tight division race.
After this matchup, Washington remained in 12th place with 51 points on the season, reflecting a campaign with flashes but limited consistency on the road. The Capitals entered the game hoping to build off recent stretches of offense, though Florida’s defense and goaltending tightened as the evening wore on.
In this NHL campaign, the Russian forward appeared in 46 regular season games, recording 11 goals and 22 assists, contributing across the lineup with timely scoring and setup plays. The scoring pace underscored his role as a veteran presence who can spark offensive sequences when his team needs it most.
Ovechkin continues to chase Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record. He currently sits with 833 goals, approaching Gretzky’s 894 goals. The gap stands at 61 goals, a beacon for the league’s enduring pursuit of legendary milestones while the Russian superstar adds to his already storied career in what remains a prolific pursuit for personal history within the sport.
Earlier in the season, Ovechkin had found the back of the net in his third straight NHL game, continuing a run of productive nights that highlighted his sustained scoring touch and competitive spirit amid a demanding schedule.