The clock was ticking toward its final minute and the Florida Panthers were at risk of wasting a dominant third period Saturday. They had already rallied once and blown one lead, and they were tied with the Washington Capitals for 19 minutes of the third period until Matthew Tkachuk, on their 17th shot of a dominant final frame, gave the Panthers the win they needed and deserved.
The superstar right wing threw a prayer at the net from way out along the left boards, dropped his jaw when he saw it sneak past past Charlie Lindgren and into the Capitals’ net, and then pumped his fist three times to celebrate. His goal with one minute left — his 40th of the season — gave Florida a 4-2 win in Washington.
“Not much time left. ... No shot’s a bad shot,” Tkachuk told Bally Sports Florida. “I don’t know how it went in, but it did.”
