Caps & Cats make history in 20 rounds during NHL's longest-ever shootout

The Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers made NHL history Tuesday by engaging in the longest shootout the league has ever seen. Seriously, we're talking nearly a full period's worth of shootout hockey here.

When you look at the list of shooters who took part in Tuesday's shootout between Washington and Florida Panthers, you can be forgiven for thinking it looks like the roster lists for both teams. But it may as well be, because the two teams combined to make history, shattering the old NHL record for longest shootout by battling for 20 rounds before the Panthers emerged victorious over the Capitals by a 2-1 score.

The previous record for longest shootout was the 15-round showdown between the Caps and New York Rangers on Nov. 26, 2005 and two Washington players – Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich – can now lay claim to having taken part in the longest and second-longest shootouts. Tuesday's marathon session lasted a whopping 17:43, and saw the Capitals score five goals, only to have the Panthers reply with five of their own to extend the shootout to Round 20. At that point, Florida center Nick Bjugstad stepped up and beat Washington goalie Braden Holtby to win it for the home team, give the Panthers their 13th win of the season and push them ahead of the Bruins for the final wild card berth.

Here's video of the entire shootout. Be sure to pack a lunch and hydrate regularly once you begin watching.

Panthers star Roberto Luongo, the winning goalie in the affair, used his typically razor-sharp sense of humor to have some fun after the game: