Capitals 5, Islanders 4 (OT)
CAPITALS 5, ISLANDERS 4: Captain Alex Ovechkin had two goals and Matt Hendricks scored in the fourth round of the shootout as host Washington erased a three-goal deficit to win its fourth straight game.
After John Tavares and Ovechkin cancelled each other out with tallies in the second round, Hendricks deked Evgeni Nabokov and roofed a backhand.
The Capitals increased their lead to four points for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Washington netminder Michal Neuvirth made several key stops in overtime, including a flashy glove save on Josh Bailey. He made 26 saves for his 11th win.
The Islanders led 4-1 in the second period, but Ovechkin led the Capitals back with two markers to tie it 4-4. Keith Aucoin added three assists including a helper on Ovechkin’s tying goal.
Tavares had two goals and an assist, and has a career-high 69 points.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Islanders forward PA Parenteau (upper body) didn’t play. … The Capitals have earned at least a point in five straight games (4-0-1). … New York forward Matt Moulson has recorded 30 or more goals in three straight seasons. ... The Islanders have lost four straight.