OTTAWA, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Ottawa built a 3-1 first-period lead Thursday then held on to beat Washington 6-5 on Alex Kovalev's game-winner on the power play in the third.
Kovalev's goal created a 6-4 Ottawa lead at 7:36 of the third, and was his 16th this season in the final game before the NHL's break for the Winter Games in Vancouver.
Jason Spezza had a goal (14) and two assists, while Milan Michalek (20), Daniel Alfredsson (17, power play), Chris Neill (7) and Chris Phillips (7) also scored. Filip Kuba had three assists.
Net-minder Brian Elliott surrendered five goals on 24 shots for the Senators, who have won 13 of their last 14 games.
Alexander Semin's hat trick (29) and one assist led Washington. Tomas Fleischmann and Jeff Schultz also scored once each.
Capitals goalie Semyon Varlamov was beaten six times on 28 shots in his first game since Dec. 7 (groin).
It was the Capitals' second straight loss following a 14-game winning streak.
