of a left quad strain. Left-hander Pedro Figueroa

WASHINGTON -- For a weekend at least, the Washington Capitals adjusted nicely to life without Alex Ovechkin. Atlanta Hawks Gear . With their star forward out for a second straight night with an unspecified upper-body injury, Washington won its second game in a row with a 3-2 a shootout victory over the Florida Panthers on Saturday night. After Tomas Fleischmann forced overtime with a game-tying, 4-on-3 goal with 2:38 left in the third period, the Capitals recovered with shootout tallies by Mikhail Grabovski, Brooks Laich, and the clincher by Nicklas Backstrom. After Laichs shootout score on Florida goalie Scott Clemmensen, which appeared to come as he lost the puck, Washington goalie Michal Neuvirth made the biggest of his 31 saves, catching Jonathan Huberdeaus attempt with his glove. Backstrom then ended it with a clean shot to the left side. "Tonight was an ugly one," Backstrom said. "Neuvy played great and kept us in the game." Neuvirth finished with 31 saves. Clemmensen had 21. One of the players most relieved by Backstroms deciding shot was defenceman Steve Oleksy (seven blocked shots), who committed the slashing penalty that paved the way for Fleischmanns goal. The score ended Washingtons string of successful penalty kills at 35, with five coming Saturday night "You cant have that. Steven knows that. You cant lose your cool," Washington coach Adam Oates said. "Fortunately, the shootout bailed him out." Florida lost its fifth straight, but showed improvement from its listless 4-0 loss Friday night at home to St. Louis. "I think we stepped in a good direction tonight," Fleischmann said. "We played like a team, pretty good all 60 minutes and I think thats how we get our two points next game." Ovechkin had scored 10 goals in 12 games before he was hurt in the first period Monday at Vancouver. The Capitals have outscored opponents 10-2 without him, but Saturdays win wasnt nearly as easy as Fridays 7-0 domination of the Philadelphia Flyers. "Youre still patching the dike in a sense. You dont want to lose anybody, let alone your star," Oates said. "It proves your team is still a solid hockey team." Washington broke on top late in the first period with a fast-break goal that Backstrom started and finished. After winning a faceoff at the red line, he received a lead pass from Eric Fehr and fired a 15-foot shot through Clemmensens legs. With the score, Backstrom replaced Ovechkin as the team leader in points with 16. Winchester tied it at 8:20 of the second period on a breakaway goal, but Carlson answered 36 seconds later for Washington. Fourth-line centre Michael Latta got his first NHL assist in helping Carlson score the first goal for a Washington defenceman in 30 days. "We need offence from our (defence). Every team does," Oates said. "You could tell by his celebration how much it meant to him." NOTES: The Capitals have a 13-8-2 record in games missed by Ovechkin. ... A night after brawling with the Philadelphia Flyers at the end of their 7-0 win, the Caps were involved in more conventional tussle as Marcel Goc of the Panthers went after Latta after the Washington rookie elbowed Fleischmann, Floridas top scorer. ... Washingtons Marcus Johansson took what appeared an inadvertent stick to his chin in the third period. Stitched Hawks Jerseys . After Andrew Romine served up two monster home runs in the inning, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he thought Romine was one of the bright spots on the night, showing just how bad the series opener against the last-place Minnesota Twins went for the Tigers. Atlanta Hawks Pro Shop . -- The Denver Broncos are shuffling their offensive line this off-season and Orlando Franklin provided some insight into their plans Monday by tweeting that hes moving from right tackle to left guard. https://www.cheaphawks.com/ . On the day after Billy Horschel posted his 12th straight round in the 60s, won his second straight tournament against a world-class field and picked up an additional $10 million bonus as the FedEx Cup champion, Watson was kicking back in his seat at a Kansas City Royals game.ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff was scheduled to be evaluated Friday at home by a back specialist before the Rangers make a roster move to activate Adrian Beltre from the disabled list. Kouzmanoff, who is hitting .362 in 13 games and is the reigning AL player of the week, came out of Tuesdays game at Oakland because of a sore back. General manager Jon Daniels said Kouzmanoff has some history of lower back problems and was still having symptoms Thursday, an off day for the Rangers between series at Oakland and Seattle. Daniels said Kouzmanoff was travelling back to Texas and that the Rangers hoped to have a report from Dr. Drew Dossett before making room on the roster for Beltre, the third baseman who hasnt played since April 8 because of a left quad strain. Left-hander Pedro Figueroa, who has had Tommy John surgery in the past, has a torn ligament in his elbow and damage to a flexor tendon. The reliever, who last week got his first two major league victories in consecutive games, will likely have surgery next week. Figueroa was put on the disabled list Wednesday after thrrowing only one pitch Tuesday night. Hawks Jerseys 2021. He was the 11th Rangers player to go on the DL this year. Daniels said outfielder Shin-Soo Choo reported improvement Thursday on his sore left ankle that the team is "expecting at this point to be able to avoid the DL." Choo got hurt Monday night at Oakland when he landed awkwardly when extending his leg to beat out what was ruled an infield single. Former Rangers closer Neftali Feliz was put on the minor league disabled list with Triple-A Round Rock because of soreness and inflammation around his right elbow. Team physician Dr. Keith Meister examined Feliz, and Daniels said Feliz is on oral medication for the inflammation and could resume throwing early next week. There appears to be no structural damage or issues with any ligaments. Feliz had ligament replacement surgery Aug. 1, 2012, after starting that season in the rotation, and returned to the Texas bullpen for six appearances at the end of last season. The Rangers sent him to the minors after he was inconsistent with his velocity and performance during spring training. ' ' '

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