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Ovechkin, Capitals down Hurricanes in SO

Nov 29, 2010 - 5:52 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Alex Ovechkin scored the only goal of the shootout to help the Washington Capitals take a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at Verizon Center.

Alexander Semin and Marcus Johansson each had a goal in regulation for the Capitals, who have won their past three games. Semyon Varlamov made 26 stops in the win.

"We wanted to finish it out in regulation, of course, but they fought hard and were able to tie it," said Washington head coach Bruce Boudreau. "That next goal I think would have broken their will, but we didn't get it. Still, we got the win and at the end that's all that counts."

Erik Cole scored in the second period while Eric Staal scored with moments left in regulation to tie the contest for the Hurricanes, who have dropped four of their past five contests. Cam Ward stopped 38 shots in defeat.

"We had a lack of physicality in this game," said Carolina head coach Paul Maurice. "We tried to play Washington's game, which we're not built to play. We didn't generate a whole lot, but I'm happy with the road point."

In the final moments of the third period, Carolina had Ward pulled for the extra attacker. A left circle faceoff win saw the puck come back to the left point where Joni Pitkanen blasted it on net. Varlamov made the save, but Staal backhanded in the rebound with 2.2 seconds left to force overtime.

After a scoreless extra session that saw Varlamov make a nice stop on an Ian White shot down low, Ovechkin gave Washington the lead in the shootout as he faked to the forehand and lifted it past Ward.

Varlamov then made saves on Jussi Jokinen and Tuomo Ruutu to seal the win.

At the seven-minute mark of the first period, Washington took a 1-0 lead when Johansson took a feed from Eric Fehr down low at the right side, cut in front and slid a low shot between the pads of Ward.

With 1:11 left in the first, the Caps made it a 2-0 game. Ovechkin took the puck down the left wing on a 2-on-1, slid a backhand pass over to the right where Semin wristed it home.

Just 50 seconds into the second, the Hurricanes cut into their deficit as Cole banged the puck in from the low right side for his fifth goal of the season.

Game Notes

Washington plays at St. Louis on Wednesday...Carolina hosts Dallas on Monday...Washington has taken all three games against Carolina this season...Carolina was 0-for-3 on the power play while Washington failed on its only chance...Caps defenseman Mike Green played in the game after missing his previous two with an undisclosed injury, but had to be helped into the locker room in overtime after blocking a shot.