WASHINGTON – Alex Ovechkin scored with 31.1 seconds remaining in overtime, lifting the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Monday night.
Ovechkin, who had been limited to two shots, skated down the right wing, got a half-stride on defenseman Chris Phillips and sent a wrist shot from the right circle past goalie Pascal Leclaire for his third goal of the season.
Alexander Semin and Eric Fehr scored for the Capitals, who have won two straight games.
Jarkko Ruutu and Ryan Shannon scored for Ottawa, which is winless in three games this season.
Just after consecutive minor penalties against Ottawa expired, Semin put the Capitals up 1-0 18:38 into the game. Semin skated unchecked through the right circle, knocking home a feed from Brooks Laich.
Washington goalie Michal Neuvirth made 18 saves and weathered four power plays before Ruutu tied it midway through the second period. Ruutu redirected Matt Carkner's drive from the left point.
The lead lasted until Fehr pounded Matt Hendricks' centering pass past Leclaire at 11:18.
Ottawa tied the game with 12:40 remaining in regulation. Peter Regin stole the puck from Washington's Nicklas Backstrom in front of the Capitals bench and fed Shannon, who scored on snap shot from between the circles.
Notes: Capitals RW Matt Bradley skated three first-period shifts before departing with an undisclosed injury. He is day-to-day. ... Washington D Tom Poti was a late scratch with an undisclosed injury and was replaced by D Tyler Sloan. ... Continuing a long Washington custom, Ottawa D Sergei Gonchar, an ex-Capital, was serenaded with a derisive whooping chant each time he touched the puck. The practice dates to 1989 and was first directed at former Cap Larry Murphy, who had been traded to Minnesota. ... Seven-foot Washington Wizards forward Yi Jianlian of China donned a red Capitals jersey and sat alongside Ted Leonsis, majority owner of the NBA and NHL clubs.
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