NHL Recap: Wild Edge Panthers 3-2 on Late Winner

Wild edge Panthers

Minnesota Wild score late goal to beat Florida Panthers 3-2, Joel Eriksson Ek nets winner. Alex Ovechkin scores hat-trick as Washington Capitals come from behind to beat Utah Mammoth 7-4, securing crucial win.

Ovechkin's hat-trick leads Capitals to 7-4 win over Utah Mammoth...

Alex Ovechkin scored a hat-trick, including an empty-net goal, to lead the Washington Capitals to a 7-4 win over the Utah Mammoth. Ovechkin's 34th career hat-trick moved him past Brett Hull for the fourth-most in NHL history.

The Minnesota Wild scored a late winner, beating the Florida Panthers 3-2. Marcus Foligno scored in his first game back from injury, and Joel Eriksson Ek netted the go-ahead goal with five seconds left.

Penguins Take Senators to Shootout

The Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Ottawa Senators 4-3 in a shootout. Rickad Rakell had two goals and an assist, while Erik Karlsson produced a goal and two assists.

TWO POINTS. pic.twitter.com/3KuVXIMoAg

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 27, 2026

Minnesota Wild's Last-Gasp Winner Hands Florida Panthers Defeat

The Stanley Cup holders, Florida Panthers, suffered a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild at home, thanks to a dramatic last-minute goal. Marcus Foligno and Ryan Hartman scored in the second period, giving the Wild a 2-0 lead heading into the intermission.

guess the cat got out of the bag pic.twitter.com/MMTmuIDydy

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) March 27, 2026

Despite outshooting Florida 19-6 in the first period, the Wild only managed a 1-0 lead. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 19 saves, keeping the Panthers in the game. The Panthers finally scored in the third period, but it wasn't enough to secure a win.

The Panthers finally got on the board 42 seconds into the third period, with Matthew Tkachuk scoring. Just when it seemed like the Wild would hold on, Aaron Ekblad tied it up with under 75 seconds left, setting the stage for Minnesota's late winner.

It looked like the game was headed to overtime, but the Panthers' comeback was foiled by a late goal. Joel Eriksson Ek scored with just five seconds left, giving Minnesota the 3-2 win.

The Wild's win moves them up to third in the West, securing their 26th regulation-time win of the season. Meanwhile, Florida remains near the bottom of the East, losing for the second time in three nights.

Ovechkin Leads Capitals to Victory

Alex Ovechkin's hat-trick led the Washington Capitals to a 7-4 win over the Utah Mammoth. Ivan Miroshnichenko scored early for the Caps, but they trailed 3-1 by the end of the first period.

Mammoth's Early Lead Doesn't Last

Dylan Guenther scored twice and Logan Cooley added a third goal for Utah, but the Capitals stormed back. Ovechkin's hat-trick, including an empty-net goal, sealed the win for Washington.

The Mammoth's lead was short-lived, as Washington scored four unanswered goals to take control. Ovechkin scored twice in the second period to tie the game, and the Caps took the lead for good with Anthony Beauvillier's goal less than three minutes into the third period.

Final. pic.twitter.com/Ww8i5UgCWQ

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 27, 2026

Rasmus Sandin added to the lead a few minutes later, putting Utah in a tough spot. The Capitals' strong finish secured their win, with Ovechkin's hat-trick leading the charge.

MacKenzie Weegar scored to give Utah fans hope with 11:54 left, but it was a brief reprieve. The Mammoth struggled to find the net after that, and Washington sealed the win.

Miroshnichenko scored his second, followed by Ovechkin's empty-netter to complete his hat-trick. Utah's loss leaves them four points above ninth place in the West, while the Caps move six points behind the Islanders for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.

Other results

Montreal Canadiens 2-1 Columbus Blue Jackets

New York Islanders 2-1 Dallas Stars

Ottawa Senators 3-4 Pittsburgh Penguins (SO)

Philadelphia Flyers 5-1 Chicago Blackhawks

Tampa Bay Lightning 3-4 Seattle Kraken (OT)

Nashville Predators 2-4 New Jersey Devils

St. Louis Blues 2-1 San Jose Sharks (OT)

Winnipeg Jets 2-3 Colorado Avalanche

Calgary Flames 2-3 Anaheim Ducks (OT)

Vegas Golden Knights 3-4 Edmonton Oilers

Vancouver Canucks 0-4 Los Angeles Kings