Oilers 3, Capitals 2
Defenseman Nikita Nikitin scored on the power play late in the second period to snap a tie - as well as a 40-game goalless drought - as host Edmonton skated to its second straight victory.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and defenseman Justin Schultz each scored for the second straight contest for the Oilers, who defeated Washington for the first time since Oct. 27, 2011. Teddy Purcell notched a pair of assists and Ben Scrivens finished with 32 saves.
Defensemen John Carlson and Mike Green scored while Nicklas Backstrom notched an assist for his 500th career point for the Capitals (3-1-2), who suffered their first regulation loss of the season. Braden Holtby stopped 17 shots in falling to 3-1-0 in four career starts versus Edmonton.
With former Oiler Jason Chimera serving a slashing penalty, Edmonton benefited from effective puck movement to claim a 3-2 lead. Nikitin provided the honors as his one-timer of a rolling puck from well above the faceoff circles beat a screened Holtby for his first goal since Dec. 29.
After Schultz opened the scoring at 6:53 of the first, Carlson accepted a no-look feed from Backstrom and beat Scrivens from the right circle midway through the period. Green gave Washington a 2-1 lead at 4:50 of the second, but Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin's turnover led directly to Nugent-Hopkins skating up the right wing and beating Holtby 20 seconds later.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington D Karl Alzner registered two shots on goal in 15:34 of ice time while playing in his 300th consecutive game. ... Purcell has recorded 22 points in 23 career contests versus the Capitals. ... All three of Green's goals this season have come in the second period.