Theodore Stops 28 Shots; Ovechkin-less Caps Defeat Panthers

November 7, 2009 7:20 a.m. EST

Sunrise, FL (AHN) - There were concerns about Washington Capitals Alex Ovechkin being out of the lineup this weekend with an upper-body strain.

But the Caps proved that they could get the job done without their superstar by pouncing on the Florida Panthers 4-1 Friday night.

Jose Theodore stopped 28 shots and Brendan Morrison tallied two goals for Washington, which improved its record to 9-3-4.

Tyler Sloan gave the Capitals the 1-0 lead with a wrist shot 4:53 into the game.

Washington kept Florida (5-8-1) scoreless for the first two periods before Nathan Horton's tally in the third put the Panthers on the board.

Brendan Morrison added a goal in the second to make it 2-0 Capitals, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Brian Pothier's power-play goal and Brendan Morrison's slap shot made it 4-1 Capitals in the last frame.

Tomas Vokoun stopped 21 shots for the Panthers.

The Caps were 1-4-0 without Ovechkin in the lineup coming into the contest. Ovechkin is considered week to week.