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Ryan Lomberg scores late winner as Panthers beat Capitals 4-2 – Winnipeg Free Press

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SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Ryan Lomberg scored the game-winning goal with 6:52 left in the game, Matthew Tkachuk had a three-pointer and the Florida Panthers beat the Washington Capitals 4-2 on Thursday night.

“He's great. He's great,” Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky said of Lomberg. “He's the soul of the dressing room and it's great to see him score a big goal.”

The goal was Lomberg's third of the season and his first since Nov. 14, when he snapped a 35-game scoring drought with a quick shot off Dmitry Kulikov's tape. It gave the Panthers their fifth win in six games and their first since entering the All-Star break.

Washington Capitals left wing Beck Malenstine (47) is called for a foul on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol). )
Washington Capitals left wing Beck Malenstine (47) is called for a foul on Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol). )

“I think the most important thing for us is to win hockey games,” Lomberg said. “If we don't score and win, it's time to look in the mirror. But we've done a good job of winning games so that's important. And of course it's good to contribute.”

Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen also scored for the Panthers. Bobrovsky stopped 21 shots and Florida coach Paul Morris earned his 849th regular-season career win – tying Ken Hitchcock for fifth in NHL history.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 833rd career goal and Anthony Mantha also scored for Washington. Darcy Kuemper made 37 saves.

After ending an eight-game hitting streak on January 27, Ovechkin has scored in three straight games.

“I really enjoyed our first period, and you're giving your goal up to one of the top teams in the NHL,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbury said. “I liked the first period in terms of competitiveness, in terms of work ethic, in terms of our fight level, in terms of puck decisions. Every game we had the puck, it was in its place. The point is, you have to be able to maintain it. It is difficult for us to maintain this pace.”

Tkachuk's goal snapped a scoring drought that spanned 152:02 of regulation time for the Panthers. Jonah Gadjovic scored his previous goal on Jan. 27 on 5-for-5 — 2:27 into Arizona's 6-2 win over the Coyotes.

Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) drives past Washington Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rasool)
Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) drives past Washington Capitals goaltender Darcy Kuemper, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Jim Rasool)

Evan Rodriguez scored 6:57 into the second period to give Florida a 2-1 lead, but it was ruled offside. Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour tried to keep the puck in the offensive zone with his skates, but he crossed the blue line and was denied a goal.

Washington took the lead later before Reinhart tied it with his league-leading 21st power play goal. He is eight more than the next most player, Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin.

Panthers captain Alexander Barkov extended his goal streak to 18 games, most recently scoring a goal on Dec. 16 against the Edmonton Oilers.