RED ALERT: Caps pick up 4 points on road trip

The three game road swing through the Southeast Division ended last night with a 5-4 come from behind shootout win over Florida.  The Caps come home with 4 of the possible 6 points, but was dampened a bit by the allowance of 11 goals over the past two games.  Caps fans also had to watch young 21 year old goalie Michal Neuvirth be chased early for the second straight game.

The Caps all year have been a deadly team in the first period, often putting opponents down quickly.  The past two games, the Caps have been out scored 6-1 in the first period.  Last night was no different.  Florida jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Michael Frolick and Dominique Moore.

Jason Chimera got the Caps on the board just 18 seconds into the second period with a speedy move to the net that simply beat Tomas Vokoun.  It was Chimera's 2nd goal of the season with the Caps, his 10th overall, and pulled the Caps to within 2-1.   Stephen Weiss and Greg Campbell then scored back to back Florida goals to boost the Florida lead to 4-1 as it appeared the Caps were in to get routed for the second consecutive night.  The 4th goal by Campbell also chased young net minder Neuvirth for the 2nd straight night.

The Caps would get one back at the 16 minute mark on a centering goal by Brian Pothier, his 4th of the season.  The second period ended with a 4-2 Panthers lead.

The third period was all Washington, out shooting the Panthers 14-6 and out scoring the Panthers 2-0.  The first goal came just 28 seconds in the third period on a rebound and put in by Alexander Ovechkin.  It was Ovie's 28th goal on the season, moving him to within 4 goal of NHL leader Patrick Marleau of San Jose.  Nicklas Backstrom tied the game a little over the 12 minute mark to force the overtime.

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