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Panthers defeat Capitals in 20-round shootout, the longest in NHL history

Eliot J. Schechter / Getty

It took 40 shooters and 20 rounds before Florida Panthers forward Nick Bjugstad scored the shootout winner to defeat the Washington Capitals in a record-setting skill competition on Tuesday night.

The 20-round shootout was the longest in NHL history.

The shootout boasted a bevy of memorable moments, including Capitals defensive defenseman Brooks Orpik beating Roberto Luongo on his first career shootout attempt.

Orpik's teammates were a little bit impressed by his first career shootout goal:

I wish I felt the way Ward and Willy did Orpik's all the time

Luongo has long been outspoken in his hatred of the shootout, although his career results suggest that he's merely average in the skills competition. He's even rhymed about it. So it's enormously ironic that one of his career victories will now include the longest shootout in the history of the event.

Even he couldn't believe what had just occurred:

The Panthers goaltender and probable future Hockey Hall of Famer managed his signature moment in the 20th round of the shootout, with a completely ridiculous save on Alex Ovechkin:

"I think it was a huge win for our club," Luongo told reporters after the game. "Not the way we drew it up ... but obviously it was a big win."

Here's the full - like, bursting-at-the-seams full - list of results, from NHL.com:

In case you're wondering, Fox Sports' shootout graphic gave out in the 13th round:

(Courtesy: Fox Sports)

An abridged version of the record-breaking event can be seen here:

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