NHL: Washington 5, Florida 4

SUNRISE, Fla., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Alex Ovechkin notched a go-ahead goal late in the third period Thursday and Washington returned from the Olympic break with a 5-4 victory over Florida.

Ovechkin's score -- his NHL-leading 41st of the season -- came with 4:17 remaining and boosted the Capitals to a third straight win.

The Russian superstar also recorded a pair of assists and Troy Brouwer netted two power-play goals for Washington.

Brooks Laich had a goal with two assists and Nicklas Backstrom added a goal with a single assist.

Braden Holtby turned aside 30 shots.

Brad Boyes scored twice while Tomas Fleishmann and Jimmy Hayes each added a goal for the Panthers, who fell for the sixth time in seven games.

Tim Thomas made 27 stops.