NHL: Washington 3, Carolina 2 (SO)

RALEIGH, N.C., March 25 (UPI) -- Viktor Kozlov scored the only goal in a shootout Tuesday, handing the Washington Capitals a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Alexander Semin and Alex Ovechkin scored in regulation for the Capitals, who have won six of their last seven games. Cristobal Huet stopped 25 shots and all three shooters in the extra segment.

Washington, with 84 points, trails Carolina by four points for first place in the Southeast Division. The Capitals also remained two points behind Boston -- which defeated Toronto, 6-2, on Tuesday -- for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Jeff Hamilton and Erik Cole scored for the Hurricanes. Cam Ward, making his 15th consecutive start, had 42 saves.