Caps Win Sixth Straight

Panthers roster

"This is a huge win. Florida is one of the hottest teams in the league," Zednik said. "It's nice to see we can match up against a team like that and win."

Goalie Olaf Kolzig stopped 29 shots and James Black also scored for the Capitals, who all the sudden are red-hot and making a run in the Southeast division.

"This was an excellent game, with great teamwork, right through the whole lineup from the goalie on out," Washington coach Ron Wilson said. "Everybody's committed to the team and to not letting each other down,"

Zednik's goals, his 11th and 12th, came within a three-minute stretch of the second period and broke a 1-1 tie.

"My season has been one of missed opportunities," Zednik said. "I've had plenty of scoring chances, but I just haven't been hitting on enough of them. I was beginning to think that nothing was going to go in."

Panthers were riding a five-game winning to the game and hadn't lost at home since Dec. 20.

"It was our fifth game in eight nights. We're a tired group of guys," Panthers defenseman Bret Hedican said. "I don't think our legs were there when we needed them. And when they were, Kolzig was there. Tonight we just didn't have it in the third."