Capitals 5, Sabres 4 (OT)
Alex Ovechkin set up the game-tying goal with 52 seconds left in the third period and netted the winner 3:19 into overtime as the Washington Capitals skated to a 5-4 home triumph over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
Mike Knuble scored twice, Alexander Semin collected a goal and assist and Jason Arnott netted his 400th career goal for Washington (46-22-11), which moved past the idle Philadelphia Flyers (46-22-10) to seize the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings. With the win, the Southeast Division-leading Capitals improved to 8-2-1 in their last 11 games.
Michal Neuvirth turned aside 34 shots to secure his seventh win in his last nine decisions. The 23-year-old netminder has won all three career starts against the Sabres.
Ovechkin's blast from the high slot in the latter stages of the third period was denied by Jhonas Enroth, but Arnott backhanded the rebound into the net to tie the game at 4-4.
In overtime, Ovechkin worked his way into the left faceoff circle before wristing a shot which caromed off a defender and into the net for his 30th goal of the season.
Drew Stafford tallied twice, Thomas Vanek scored to extend his points streak to five games and Paul Gaustad also scored for Buffalo (39-29-10), which fell for just the second time in six games. The Sabres moved past the idle New York Rangers (41-32-5) for sole possession of seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings.
With reigning Vezina Trophy winner Ryan Miller sidelined with an upper-body injury, Enroth finished with 30 saves.