NHL: Mantha’s great evening ended badly against the Panthers

Sam Reinhart scored 15 seconds into overtime to lead the Florida Panthers to a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night.

Ivan Rodriguez tied the game 3-3 in the third period, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Aleksander Barkov scored the other goals for the winning team. Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves.

For the second time in two games, the Panthers came from behind to win in overtime.

Anthony Mantha scored twice in the loss, but his excellent night of work ended abruptly midway through the third period when he was shot in the head near his left ear. Quebec collapsed on the ice and was escorted off the ice. He did not return to the match after that.

Capitals coach Spencer Carberry had no details to provide regarding Mantha’s condition. The update should be done by Thursday.

While Alex Ovechkin has remained under the radar with just two goals since the start of the season, the Cubs’ third trio has taken matters into its own hands.

Mantha made a lucky first play to open the scoring after 6:13. Looking for a passing option to his left, the 29-year-old winger shot towards the middle and the ball deflected off Anton Lundell before ending up into the back net. Caps goaltender Darcy Kuemper had an assist, his fifth career assist and first since March 14, 2019 when he wore Arizona Coyotes colors.

Another Mantha goal was perfectly executed and made it 3-2 at the end of the second half. Connor McMichael, who had previously gone 2-2, intercepted an opposition pass in his own box before going two-goals ahead. He lifted the ball to pass to Mantha who beat Bobrosvky under his right arm to score his third goal of the season.