NHL: Washington 7, Florida 4

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- The Washington Capitals broke open a close game with five third-period goals Saturday in their 7-4 win over the Florida Panthers.

Mike Knuble made two goals and picked up two assists for Washington, while Tomas Fleischmann also tallied twice. Brooks Laich, Mathieu Perreault and Quintin Laing also netted goals for the Capitals, who won back-to-back games against Florida.

Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom picked up a pair of helpers while goalie Jose Theodore notched 24 saves in the Washington win.

The Panthers, meanwhile, lost for the sixth time in nine games. They were paced by goals from Michael Frolik, Dmitry Kulikov, Michal Repik and Cory Stillman. Their goalie, Scott Clemmensen, allowed the seven goals on 32 shots.

Only 40 seconds after Perreault's first career goal tied the game at 3-3 at the 2:21 mark of the third period, Laing gave the Capitals the lead. Stillman answered, but Fleischmann put the Capitals back on top for good at 7:22 into the period.