National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Winnipeg 4, Washington 3
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, March 23, 2012
Where: Verizon Center, Washington, District Of Columbia
Referees: Marc Joannette, Steve Kozari
Linesmen: Michel Cormier, Mark Shewchyk
Attendance: 18506

JETS 4, CAPITALS 3 (OT): Spencer Machacek tied the game late in the third period with his first career NHL goal and Tim Stapleton scored in overtime to keep visiting Winnipeg's playoff hopes alive.

After spotting the Capitals an early 3-0 lead, the Jets scored four unanswered goals against a fatigued Washington squad to snap a two-game slide.

With the single point, the Capitals retain the eighth and final playoff playoff spot in the East as they hold the tiebreaker over the Buffalo Sabres. Both teams have 82 points, while the Jets are four points back in 10th.

With the game tied 3-3, Stapleton snapped a shot over the glove of Michal Neuvirth at 2:37 in overtime to seal the victory.

Machacek tipped home his first NHL goal with 3:45 remaining in the third period to knot the game at 3-3. The Jets outshot the opposition 17-2 in the final frame.

The Capitals, who were playing the second game of a back-to-back, jumped out to a 3-0 lead on a breakaway goal from Jason Chimera and Alex Ovechkin's 34th and 35th tallies. Ovechkin now has goals in four straight games and eight in his last six contests.

The Jets responded with markers from Ben Maxwell and Bryan Little 1:11 apart in the second period to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Ondrej Pavelec made 20 saves for his 28th win.

GAME NOTEBOOK:
Jets defenseman Eric Fehr (upper body) and forward Nik Antropov (lower body) didn't play. ... Capitals goaltender Tomas Vokoun (groin) didn't play...The Jets take the season series versus the Capitals 4-1-1. ... Winnipeg snapped a three-game losing streak on the road.
Top Game Performances
 
Winnipeg   Washington
Spencer Machacek 2 Points Alexander Ovechkin 2
Spencer Machacek 1 Goals Alexander Ovechkin 2
Spencer Machacek 1 Assists Jason Chimera 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Ondrej Pavelec .870 Save Percentage Michal Neuvirth .905
Ondrej Pavelec 20 Saves Michal Neuvirth 38
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Winnipeg 42 4 0-2 2-2 9 26
Washington 23 3 0-2 2-2 9 40
Upcoming Games
  • Washington will play their next game at home against Minnesota. The Capitals have a W/L % of .526 after a win and .459 after a loss.
  • Winnipeg will play their next game on the road against Nashville. The Jets have a W/L % of .412 after a win and .525 after a loss.