Panthers defeat Capitals on late Trocheck goal

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Vincent Trocheck capped an emotional night at BB&T Center on Thursday when he scored the game-winning goal with 20 seconds remaining in the third period to give the Florida Panthers a 3-2 win against the Washington Capitals.
Before the game, the Panthers first at BB&T Center since the Feb. 14 shooting at nearby Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, the team had a 20-minute tribute that featured a montage of the 14 students and three teachers killed, along with a message from goalie Roberto Luongo, a Parkland resident.

"It was emotional," Trocheck said. "It was very emotional. It was a powerful game. Powerful speech before the game by Luongo]. Powerful meaning behind the game. Fans were great. Team played great in the third period, showed a lot of character, and to be able to put that in the net at the end of the game, it was exciting."
***[WATCH: [All Capitals vs. Panthers highlights]*
Trocheck scored on the power play when he tipped Jonathan Huberdeau's hard pass while standing in the slot.
Maxim Mamin scored his first NHL goal, and Nick Bjugstad also scored for the Panthers (27-25-6), who had lost two in a row. Luongo made 33 saves.

Florida is five points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
"It was a real important two points for us," Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. "It's tough to separate the hockey sometimes. It doesn't seem important sometimes when things like this go on, but we realize we have a job to do and we're in a playoff run and we can't afford to give away two points. Real proud of them."
Andre Burakovsky had a goal and an assist for Washington (34-20-7). Lars Eller scored, and Braden Holtby made 30 saves.
The Capitals remain one point ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
"We had a couple chances before they tied it up that we missed on, some Grade A's, and we didn't finish," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "We get beat one-on-one and the puck ends up in the net and then we take an unnecessary penalty. They called that one and it ended up in the back of the net. We should have at least one point tonight."

Bjugstad tied the score 2-2 with 3:42 remaining in the third period when he redirected a centering pass after Aleksander Barkov split Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson in the left circle.
Burakovsky gave Washington a 2-1 lead at 9:56 of the second period. He scored on the power play after taking a backhand pass from Ovechkin in the slot. Burakovsky settled the puck before beating Luongo to the stick side.
Mamin made it 1-0 at 4:50 of the first period on a rebound after Holtby stopped Ian McCoshen's shot from the point.
The Capitals tied the game 1-1 at 18:55 when Burakovsky's wrist shot from the high slot deflected off Eller's stick as he skated near the crease.

"The first 10 minutes of the game was very difficult," Luongo said. "I was not in a zone, that's a good way to put it. Emotions were still running high from the ceremony. I'm happy that they didn't score and then I was able to settle down and just play my game, and I think we had a little help from above on those last couple of goals in the third."

Goal of the game

Trocheck's game-winner with 20 seconds left in the third period.

Save of the game

Luongo's save against Evgeny Kuznetsov at 3:20 of the third period.

Highlight of the game

Barkov's set up on Bjugstad's goal at 16:18 of the third period.

They said it

"We're always disappointed when we don't get the two points and tonight we should definitely have it. We just need to stick with it." -- Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky
"Not only his speech was unbelievable, but his game was even better. What can you say? He's the ultimate pro." -- Panthers coach Bob Boughner on goalie Roberto Luongo

Need to know

Defenseman Michal Kempny made his Capitals debut after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft. He had one shot on goal in 14:15. … Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle played a game-high 26:27.

What's next

Capitals: Host the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday (7 p.m., ET; NBCSWA, MSG-B, NHL.TV)
Panthers: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday (7 p.m., ET: FS-F, ATTSN-PT, NHL.TV)