Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell (15) celebrates with center Sam Reinhart (13) after scoring during the second period against the Washington Capitals in game two of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers bounce back from Game 1 collapse to blow out Capitals

By Adam Stites | Last updated 5/5/22

The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals are even at one game each in a first round series after the Panthers won 5-1 in Game 2 on Thursday.

Florida jumped out to an early lead with first period goals from Aaron Ekblad and Aleksander Barkov.

Jonathan Huberdeau (@JonnyHuby11) has some nifty moves. #StanleyCup

: @NHL_On_TNT ➡️ https://t.co/utjoZmkZ6O
: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/IKdxXBZiep

NHL x @massmutual pic.twitter.com/AYj04lauMA
— NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2022

Washington's Nicklas Backstrom cut the lead back to one early in the second period, but the Panthers pushed the game out of reach with goals from Mason Marchment, Anton Ludell, and Carter Verhaeghe before the start of the third period.

The passing, the goal, the celly! This @flapanthers goal is . #StanleyCup

: @NHL_On_TNT ➡️ https://t.co/utjoZmkZ6O
: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/IKdxXBZiep

NHL x @massmutual pic.twitter.com/6KUwqLXLY1
— NHL (@NHL) May 6, 2022

On Tuesday, Florida led after the second period, but lost to the Capitals, 4-2. That was a first for the 2021-22 Panthers, who were 39-0-1 in the regular season in games the team led after the second period. Florida had no such issues Thursday, keeping the Capitals from scoring at all in the third period.

The Panthers are the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference after finishing the regular season with an NHL-best record 58-18-6. Game 3 in Washington is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.

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