A cleaner pace returns as Panthers settle into Capitals test

After Saturday's chaos against Tampa Bay, Monday's opening frame had a different heartbeat. The Panthers and Capitals played fast and skilled, with fewer stoppages and more flow, a welcome reset after 45 penalties and 136 minutes last time out.

Washington still brings real star gravity, even without needing Alex Ovechkin to dominate every shift. Through the season, Tom Wilson leads the Capitals with 34 points, with Ovechkin right behind at 33, so the danger is never far from the next rush.

Florida's early looks had the right ingredients, quick support, simple exits, and a couple of plays that almost broke open. Jeff Petry had one slick setup that nearly sprung Anton Lundell into space, the kind of touch the Panthers can build shifts around.

As a fan, you can feel the bench relax when the game stays about plays, not penalties.

Brad Marchand's work on the man advantage is a big reason Florida can stay patient. He came in with 21 goals, seventh-most in the NHL, and even without a conversion yet, the chances he creates keep the penalty killers from cheating lanes.

Lundell deserves a nod every time these games get tight. He does the quiet stuff, tracks back, wins touches, then still has enough offense to turn a broken play into a real look, which is why coaches keep leaning on him. He just scored his 13th on the PP from a great set-up play by Petry.

Sam Reinhart is right there too, because he lives in those quick-strike moments around the slot. He entered Monday with 19 goals and just scored his 20th of the season, his 7th in December.

That's the bounce-back thread Florida needed, cleaner decisions, quicker puck movement, and a power play that looks dangerous even before it cashes. Keep that pace, and the rest of the night sets up like a Panthers game again.

After the first period in Sunrise, it's 2-2. Anton Lundell (13) and Sam Reinhart (20) scored for Florida, while Tom Wilson (18,19) has both Washington goals to pull the Capitals even.