Fleischman rallies Capitals past Panthers 7-4 Eds: APNewsNow. Capitals 7, Panthers 4.

AP Photo VZN103, VZN101 By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer Washington (AP) Tomas Fleischmann scored twice during a five-goal third period, and the short-handed Washington Capitals beat the Florida Panthers 7-4 Saturday night for a sweep of their home-and-home series.

Washington played a third straight game without two-time NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin, who has an upper body injury. The Capitals were also without injured defensemen Mike Green and Jeff Schultz, both of whom were hurt Friday night during a 4-1 victory in Florida.

But the Capitals prevailed anyway. Getting 23 saves from goaltender Jose Theodore and goals 40 seconds apart from Mathieu Perreault and Quintin Laing, Washington defeated the Panthers for the second time in two nights.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-07-09 2041CST | save this article / add to your favorites list