NHL: Washington 3, Tampa Bay 2 (OT)

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WASHINGTON, March 8 (UPI) -- Alex Ovechkin scored with 51 seconds remaining in overtime Thursday, lifting the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 win over Tampa Bay.

The Capitals ended a three-game skid and wound up with a 2-2-1 record on their five-game homestand.

Washington began the night two points behind Winnipeg for the eighth and final post-season spot in the Eastern Conference.

Tampa Bay held a 2-1 lead heading into the third period but Marcus Johansson tied it with 3:58 to go in regulation.

Ovechkin then beat Dustin Tokarski with the game-winning shot in the first career start for the Tampa Bay goaltender. Tokarski gave up three goals on 32 shots.

Keith Aucoin gave Washington the lead in the first period but power-play goals from Ryan Malone and Teddy Purcell in the middle stanza put Tampa Bay in front.

The win went to Tomas Vokoun, who made 24 saves.