The Florida Panthers lost 4-3 to the Washington Capitals on Nov. 7, 2026, at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The game was the first of Florida’s three-game road trip, and the loss dropped the Panthers to 9-6-2. Brady Tkachuk scored twice for Florida, but Washington rallied after the first intermission to secure the win.
“We were really good early. Got into some trouble in the second period and I think we were all fighting it at that point,” Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said.
Panthers build an early lead
Jack St. Ivany opened the scoring for Washington at 2:21 of the first period with his first career NHL goal. Brady Tkachuk answered at 3:13 by jamming in a loose puck for his ninth goal of the season, with Matthew Tkachuk assisting. Brady scored again at the 10-minute mark on the power play, with assists from Matthew Tkachuk and Seth Jones, to give Florida a 2-1 lead.
The second goal gave Brady Tkachuk his 10th of the season and his third multi-goal game. Matthew Tkachuk collected his 36th game-tying assist with the Panthers, while Seth Jones later led all skaters with 26:31 of ice time. Akira Schmid stopped three high-danger chances in the first period as Florida carried its lead into the intermission.
Washington takes control after intermission
Alex Tuch tied the game 2-2 at 4:39 of the second period with his 11th goal of the season. Aliaksei Protus put Washington back in front at 14:55, giving the Capitals a 3-2 lead after two periods. Pierre-Luc Dubois extended the advantage to 4-2 at 4:42 of the third period.
Sam Bennett cut Florida’s deficit to one at 19:13 of the third period, but Washington held on. Bennett said, “We’re going to fight until the end no matter what.” Brady Tkachuk added, “We just got to learn from this one and be ready to go tomorrow. Tomorrow is another big one.”
Vilmanis exits after hit
Sandis Vilmanis was helped off the ice after a hit from behind by Tom Wilson and did not return. Wilson received a five-minute penalty and a game misconduct. Bennett said, “You never want to see one of your guys get hurt, especially a young guy. Hopefully he’s okay.”
Bennett also praised the work of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk on the forecheck. “Brady and Matthew were playing really hard. They’re making good plays and getting on the forecheck,” he said. Aaron Ekblad led the Panthers with three blocked shots, while Garnet Hathaway led the team with six hits.
Panthers scheduled to play Boston
Florida was scheduled to continue its road trip against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The game follows the Panthers’ opening loss of the trip and gives the team its next opportunity to respond. Cole Reinhardt said of Florida’s penalty kill, “PK has been great all year. There’s lots of confidence in it. That kind of gives you freedom to play hard and gritty.”
Maurice described Reinhardt’s game in his return to the lineup as “It was solid.” The Panthers’ late goal brought them within one, but their early advantage did not hold after Washington tied the game in the second period. Florida’s next scheduled game comes against Boston.
FSB Take
Brady Tkachuk gave Florida two goals and a first-period lead, but Washington’s three goals across the second and third periods changed the game. The Panthers also lost Vilmanis for the remainder of the contest after Wilson’s hit, adding a significant in-game setback. Florida’s immediate response will come in the scheduled Sunday meeting with Boston as the road trip continues.
Source: Original report