Updated

WASHINGTON (AP) - Alex Ovechkin scored the game-winner 3:19 into overtime, and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-4 Saturday night to take over the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Ovechkin took a shot from the left circle that glanced off the skate of Buffalo defenseman Andrej Sekera and past goaltender Jhonas Enroth. Ovechkin celebrated by lifting his left leg high off the ice before staging an impromptu dance near center ice.

The victory gave the Capitals 103 points, one more than idle Philadelphia. Washington has two games left and the Flyers have three.

Twice in the final nine minutes of regulation, the Sabres took a one-goal lead with a power-play goal. On each occasion, Washington scored the tying goal with the extra man.