Panthers Win Longest Shootout Ever

     Two clubs set an NHL record with a 20 round shootout on Tuesday night as the Florida Panthers beat the Washington Capitals 2-1 at BB&T Center. It broke the record which was set between the Capitals and New York Rangers in November 2005 which went 15 rounds.
     After both teams missed on their first three attempts of the shootout, Alex Ovechkin went five-hole for Washington(14-10-6) against Roberto Luongo. Jussi Jokinen matched it for Florida(13-8-8) as he dragged the puck in on a one-handed backhand by Braden Holtby.
     Brooks Laich scored for the Caps on their seventh attempt with a backhand shot, but Dave Bolland responded with a wrist shot through the goalie's legs for the Cats.
     Both clubs hit the twine in their tenth attempts as Joel Ward snapped a shot over the left glove of Luongo and Derek MacKenzie ripped the puck over the right sholder of Holtby. They also made their 11th attempts when John Carlson sent a wrist shot glove side and Sean Bergenheim put in a backhand shot.
     They would score again in the 17th round. Brooks Orpik tallied on a forehand shot and Dylan Olsen went blocker side on a backhand attempt. Both clubs were allowed to have players who were not goalies make shootout attempts for the second time after the 18th round.
     Nicklas Backstrom and Ovechkin both failed in their opportunities for the Captials. Jokinen missed on his second occasion, however Nick Bjugstad won the game in the 20th round on a wrist shot.
     There were two goals during regulation. Florida scored in the first period at 9:36 to go ahead 1-0. Mike Green's backhand clearing pass from behind the Caps cage deflected off Scottie Upshall and into the slot area. MacKenzie blasted a shot from the edge of the right circle for his third game this season.
     The Capitals evened the contest on the power play with 5:25 left in the second period. Ovechkin fed a pass from the left wing to the slot area where Troy Brouwer has his first shot blocked by Willie Mitchell, but he pounced and scored on his second shot.