Brock Boeser ends losing streak by Vancouver with two goals, Florida beats Washington in overtime

The clash between the NHL’s top two teams went into overtime, with Brock Boeser scoring his second goal of the game to give Vancouver a 3:2 victory over Boston. Florida beat Washington by the same score and in overtime after Lindgren was beaten by defenseman Gustav Forsling.

NHL leaders duel for Vancouver at home

The NHL offered a treat in the form of a duel between the leaders of their conferences. However, neither team was in dazzling form. The home team, Vancouver Canucks, had a four-game losing streak and the visiting team from Boston showed a variable performance.

During the first period, neither Thatcher Demko nor Jeremy Swayman allowed a single puck behind their backs. The crowd had to wait until the second period to see the goals, where Boston struck twice. First, Demko let Jesper Boqvist’s shot go behind his back and in the 32nd minute, Danton Heinen scored his 11th goal of the season. The game was 0:2 for the Boston Bruins.

A big turnaround by the home team, with Hronek’s contribution

In the 13th minute of the final period, Jeremy Swayman capitulated for the first time in the game after Brock Boeser scored his first goal of the game. With 71 seconds left, Czech defenseman Filip Hronek tied the game and scored his 5th goal of the season.

Vancouver entered overtime very active and at 61:49 Vancouver’s third shot from the stick of Boeser was the hero of the game. For the second time in the game, he outpaced Swayman and scored his 33rd goal of the season to give Vancouver the NHL lead.

Washington bravely held off a strong Florida team

Anthony Stolarz started his 18th game of the season in goal for Florida, while Charlie Lindgren defended the Capitals’ goal on the other side. No goals were scored in the first period. Although Washington had the advantage of three power plays to the Panthers’ one.

Florida confirmed its role as the favorite in the 25th minute. It was Lindgren who was beaten by forward Nick Cousins, who scored only his 3rd goal this season. Washington tied the game before the end of the second period with a power play goal by Sonny Milan. The game was tied after 40 minutes.

At 50:11, Washington punished the exclusion of Panthers captain Barkov. Tom Wilson turned the game in favor of the Capitals. But Florida didn’t give up and with three and a half minutes to go struck on the power play. Carter Verhaeghe scored his 31st goal of the season to send the game to overtime.

Gustav Forsling scored with 79 seconds left in overtime to give the Florida Panthers the win. Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin‘s 10-game point streak came to an end. Washington scored an important point after a great performance and its gap to the playoffs is still six points. Florida is in third place in the Eastern Conference, just one point behind the NY Rangers and Boston Bruins.

Source: NHL