<div align='center' style='padding-top:20px;padding-bottom:20px;'><img src='https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/i/photo/374667.webp' width='100%' border='0' alt='image' loading='lazy' defer /></div> In a largely uneventful Eastern Conference matchup between the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals, tensions escalated in the final minutes of the 3rd period. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/capsreplays/status/1755753388627693817?s=20'> </a></blockquote></div> <h2>Ovechkin Cries Foul After Dirty Play</h2> With the score tied and just over six minutes remaining, a faceoff error by the linesman led to a controversial moment. Despite the play being stopped immediately after the Capitals won the faceoff due to the linesman's mistake, the Panthers, known for their aggressive style, seized the moment for a cheap shot. As Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals controlled the puck, a Evan Rodrigues slashed Ovechkin's hand, sparking an intense reaction from both Ovechkin and teammate Tom Wilson, who expressed their frustration to the referees. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/capsreplays/status/1755781806035452145?s=20'> </a></blockquote></div> This incident, however, did not rally the Capitals, who ultimately fell to the Panthers with a final score of 4-2. The game's closing moments highlighted the existing animosity between the teams and underscored the Panthers' reputation for playing on the edge, contributing to the Capitals' defeat in a crucial game. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/JohnCarlsongang/status/1755755128013861038?s=20'> </a></blockquote></div> <a href='https://www.bladeofsteel.com/nhl/news/tempers-flare-after-florida-panthers-forward-cheap-shots-alex-ovechkin' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>As Read On Blade of Steel - Tempers flare after Florida Panthers forward cheap shots Ovechkin</a>