After an action packed period, the Capitals trail the Panthers 3-2 as they go into the second intermission.
The period looked like it was going to unfold the way the first period did. It started with the Caps having a power play opportunity (including a brief two man advantage) that they again could not take advantage of.
The Panthers were then given another big scoring opportunity when they had another two man advantage on Washington when holding was called on Jason Chimera and hooking was called on John Carlson. Florida responded with a backhand goal by David Booth, giving the Panthers a 3-0 lead that looked to be too much for Washington.
However, the Caps responded. On what looked to be a scripted play, Knuble launched a long pass to Marcus Johansson, who made a quick pass to Brooks Laich, who then passed it right back to Johansson, who then concluded the pretty play by hitting the wrist shot to cut the Panthers lead to 3-1. It was the rookie's fourth goal of the season.
That Caps were not done there. Alex Ovechkin came streaking down the left side of the ice, and fired a nifty pass to Mike Knuble, who then nailed a tough wrist shot just above the glove hand of Florida goal tender Tomas Vokoun, making the score 3-2 Panthers.
The Caps have responded to another slow start, but can they keep the pedal down and tie the game or take the lead? They cannot give up two man advantages like they have the first two periods. If they can do that, and make the most of power play opportunities, they could tie the game or maybe even take the lead.