FLA 5–3 WSH Final · W
Panthers/Schedule/Recap Mon, Dec 29, 2025 · 2025-26 regular season
Florida Panthers
FLA · 21-15-2
5–3
FinalW
Washington Capitals
WSH · 20-14-5
1ST2ND3RDT FLA 21008311529 WSH 21001215327 goals · shots on goal
Meeting 2 this season — the Panthers lead the season series 2–0
FLA 21-15-2 · WSH 20-14-5 · Meeting 2 this season — the Panthers lead the season series 2–0

Panthers beat the Capitals

Chances were even (3.5 to 3.6 expected goals); the Panthers won 5–3. An empty-net goal padded the final score; it was a one-goal game until then.

Who had the better chances

Chances were close: 3.5 expected goals to 3.6, on 29 and 27 shots on goal.

FLA 3.5 xG · 29 shots WSH 3.6 xG · 27 shots
0
1
2
3
4
1st · the swing 1.0 · 1.8
2nd 1.6 · 1.2
3rd 0.9 · 0.6
Tap a numbered goal to see how it happened.
Deserve to winReplay this game 100 times with average goalies and the Panthers win 48.
FLA 48%WSH 52%

Goals and penalties

8 goals · 11 penalties
← Panthers shoot this way Capitals shoot this way →
On net Missed Bigger = better chance 1Goal, numbered to the list
1st period
1
03:53 Tom Wilson
Martin Fehérváry, Dylan Strome · snap shot on a rebound, a great chance (33%)
0–1
2
04:35 Anton Lundell
Jeff Petry · tip in shot, a low-percentage shot (10%) that found a way in
1–1
PEN
08:33 Anthony Beauvillier· Holding
Killed
2 min
Minor
PEN
11:44 Ethen Frank· Slashing
Reinhart scored on this power play
2 min
Minor
3
12:45 Sam Reinhart PP
Seth Jones, Brad Marchand · Power play (Frank, slashing) · wrist shot, a low-percentage shot (7%) that found a way in
2–1
PEN
16:54 A.J. Greer· Slashing
Killed
2 min
Minor
PEN
18:04 Seth Jones· High-sticking
Wilson scored on this power play
4 min
Double minor
4
19:17 Tom Wilson PP
Dylan Strome, Jakob Chychrun · Power play (Jones, high-sticking) · snap shot, a good chance (23%)
2–2
2nd period
PEN
04:20 Gustav Forsling· Tripping
Killed
2 min
Minor
PEN
11:48 Ryan Leonard· Tripping
Killed
2 min
Minor
PEN
13:50 Nic Dowd· Tripping
Killed
2 min
Minor
3rd period
5
03:11 Dylan Strome EXTRA ATTACKER
Tom Wilson, Aliaksei Protas · wrist shot, a low-percentage shot (1%) that found a way in
2–3
PEN
04:15 Alex Ovechkin· Interference
Killed
2 min
Minor
6
06:16 Brad Marchand
Sam Bennett, Seth Jones · bat shot on a rebound, a low-percentage shot (4%) that found a way in
3–3
PEN
06:55 Gustav Forsling· Interference
Killed
2 min
Minor
PEN
07:19 Ryan Leonard· Holding
Killed
2 min
Minor
7
13:12 Aaron Ekblad GWG
Sam Reinhart, Anton Lundell · slap shot, a good chance (14%)
4–3
PEN
17:12 Eetu Luostarinen· Slashing
Killed
2 min
Minor
8
19:25 Sam Reinhart EN
Eetu Luostarinen, Aaron Ekblad · backhand shot, into an empty net
5–3
Goaltending
+0.6
vs expected
24/27 saves · 3 GA · 3.6 xGA Stopped 0.6 more goals than an average goalie would have.
−0.5
vs expected
24/28 saves · 4 GA · 3.5 xGA Allowed 0.5 more goals than expected from the shots he faced.
Team FLAWSH
Shots on goal
29
27
Expected goals
3.5
3.6
Hits
16
19
Blocks
22
6
Faceoffs
47%
53%
Power play
1/6
1/5
Penalty minutes
12
12
The Panthers went 1-for-6 on the power play and allowed 1 on 5 Capitals power plays.