Associated Press
Capitals rout Panthers 6-1 in Game 3 to take 2-1 series lead
Fans’ cheers brought Ilya Samsonov close to tears on the way to his first NHL playoff victory. Samsonov rebounded after allowing an early goal and the Capitals bounced back from a blowout loss in Game 2 to take a lead in the series against the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Panthers. Samsonov made 29 saves in his first start this postseason, taking over for Vitek Vanecek and giving teammates and coach Peter Laviolette exactly what they hoped for out of a goaltender whose play ranges from stellar to suspect.
