NHL: Washington 4, Florida 2

SUNRISE, Fla., Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Alex Ovechkin's hat trick carried the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory Sunday over the Florida Panthers.

Ovechkin, raising his NHL-leading goals total to 41, scored once in the first period and twice in the third, his last goal coming on an empty-netter. He has three hat tricks this season.

Eric Fehr posted the other goal for the Caps, who are 6-1-1 in their last eight games.

Michael Frolik and Nathan Horton scored for Florida.

Goaltenders Jose Theodore of Washington and Tomas Vokoun of Florida each blocked 29 shots.