Fresh off a huge victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, the Washington Capitals can finish .500 on their four-game road trip with a victory against the Florida Panthers.
There’ll be no changes to the Capitals’ lineup from Tuesday while the Barkov and Tkachuk-less Panthers will turn to Daniil Tarasov
Puck drop for tonight’s game is shortly after 7:00 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call on Monumental Sports Network.
Puck is dropped. Duhaime-Sourdif-Wilson and Chychrun-Roy get the start.
Jakob Chychrun is hurting at the Capitals bench after blocking a shot. A shot hit the side of his right leg/knee area. He’s hobbling down the tunnel.
Chychrun is back at the TV timeout.
Eight minutes in, the Capitals have 7 of the game’s first 9 shots. Another good start.
Incredible deflection by Brandon Duhaime gives the Capitals the lead. Doggie has goals in three straight.
Goal: Brandon Duhaime (3). Assists: R. Sandin (4). Time: 8:25
The Panthers answer 28 seconds later.
Goal: Evan Rodrigues (4). Assists: N. Mikkola (3). Time: 8:53
Capitals go to their first power player after Tom Wilson is interfered by Seth Jones at 14:33.
The Capitals are outshooting the Panthers 17 to 5 with 2:41 remaining. Great start.
At intermission: The Caps and Panthers are tied 1-1. The Capitals outshot the Panthers 17 to 6, but the game is closer than it may appear. The Panthers had more high-danger chances 7-4 at five-on-five despite the Capitals leading in attempts 22 to 15.
Puck is dropped.
Panthers with a set play and Logan Thompson makes a big save at the far post.
Tom Wilson to the box for holding Eetu Luostarinen 41 seconds into the period. Panthers to their first power play.
Shortly after Florida’s power play ends, Schwindt with a tip-in from the slot to give Florida their first lead.
Goal: Cole Schwindt (2). Assists: G. Forsling (8), E. Luostarinen (6). Time: 3:05
Incredible dekes and toe-drag by Leonard to dance around two Panthers defenders down the right wing. He nearly scores but a huge save by Tarasov.
Sandin jumps into the play and nearly scores from the slot.
Jakob Chychrun to the box for tripping Donovan Sebrango at 11:55.
Capitals take another penalty at 14:21, a bench penalty for too many men.
Sam Reinhart scores on a big rebound in front of the net via his backhand. Logan probably wants this one back.
PPG: Sam Reinhart (9). Assists: B. Marchand (8). Time: 14:41
At intermission: The Panthers are leading 3-1. The Capitals lead in shots 27 to 19 and in attempts at five-on-five, 49 to 29. But again, high-danger chances are 9 to 9.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers got hit with a bit of bad news on Tuesday that they don’t receive very often.
Reserve running back Josh Williams has been suspended by the NFL for six games for a violation of the NFL’s performance-enhancing substances policy, per multiple outlets.
Bucs rookie running back Josh WIlliams has been suspended for six games without pay for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy. He has played in three games this season, with four carries for 11 yards.
Todd Bowles was asked for his thoughts on his suspension after Tampa Bay’s practice on Wednesday, and he provided his plan to replace Williams on the depth chart.
“It’s unfortunate,” Bowles said. “You know, a lot of these guys have trainers, and probably don’t know what they’re taking or anything else like that. I don’t know what he did or didn’t, and I know the kid, and he’s a good young man. He’s a very honest young man and forthright. I wish him the best. Obviously, the next man up will be Owen [Wright]. Owen will probably come up, and then we’ll go from there and keep it moving.”
Williams played for LSU from 2019-2024 and was signed by the Bucs back in May as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft. He made the 53-man roster as the team’s fourth running back and has appeared in three games this season (Seattle, New Orleans, and New England). He has totaled 11 rushing yards on 4 carries, all against the Saints.
Wright was with the Baltimore Ravens from 2023-24, where he appeared in one game. He joined the Bucs during training camp in 2025 but was among the cuts to get down to 53 players in August. He joined the team’s practice squad in October and was activated for Tampa Bay’s game against San Francisco.
Fortunately for Tampa Bay, their depth issues could get put on the back burner if their top running back can make a return soon. Irving was spotted at practice on Wednesday by the media in attendance. Although it was a walkthrough, it’s a step forward and progress as he works to get back into the fold for a Bucs offense that needs an element of explosion.
Bowles said that the Bucs won’t be in full pads this week, so Irving won’t be subjected to any full contact hits on the practice field on his injured shoulder. However, that’s obviously something he’s going to have to be able to handle without issue before he’s cleared to return.
For the time being, it looks like it’ll be Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, and Wright to lead the backfield on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.