NHL: Ottawa 4, Florida 3 (OT)

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OTTAWA, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Bobby Butler scored on a deflection 2:02 into overtime Thursday, giving the Ottawa Senators a 4-3 victory over Florida.

The Senators won their third in a row and handed the Southeast Division-leading Panthers their second straight setback.

Ottawa never trailed, but each time the Senators scored during regulation the Panthers were able to answer.

It was a 1-1 game heading into a wild third period, which got going when Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson scored for Ottawa on the power play. Shawn Matthias tied it less than 2 minutes later.

Erik Karlsson again put Ottawa in front with 10:17 to play in regulation, but Tomas Kopecky forced overtime and earned Florida a point by tipping in a shot with 1:12 remaining.

Craig Anderson picked up the victory by making 33 saves. All four Ottawa goals came against Scott Clemmensen, who stopped 24 shots.