"We found a way to win tonight," Boughner said of the effort shown by Florida, which had lost each of its previous four games by just one goal. "We talked about winning the first game and how good it's going to feel to get the monkey off our back a little bit… It would have been tough losing that game tonight, even if we had just one point."
After jumping out to a 4-1 lead in the first period, the Panthers couldn't stave off Washington's comeback, as the Capitals got back to within one goal before Nicklas Backstrom scored during a 6-on-4 power play with 1:25 to go in regulation to tie the game at 5 and force the extra frame.
Following a scoreless overtime period - which impressively went a full heart attack-inducing five minutes without a single whistle - the game transitioned to the shootout, where Jonathan Huberdeau scored in the fifth round to secure a mammoth two points for the Panthers over the defending Stanley Cup champions.
"We needed it really bad," said Huberdeau, who finished the game tied for the team lead with three points (one goal, two assists). "I was scared at some point in the third. They were coming hard, but I think we stuck to the game plan. We were up 4-1 in the game, for sure, but we've got to take the positives out of it. A big win in the shootout. Now we've got to go back out tomorrow and get another win, too."
Florida (1-2-2) will go for its second straight win on Saturday against Detroit at BB&T Center.
Here are five takeaways from Friday night's victory in the nation's capital…