Capitals 6, Lightning 5 (OT): Defenseman Mike Green scored from the slot on the power play 2:59 into overtime as host Washington won its seventh consecutive game despite squandering a four-goal lead.

Captain Alex Ovechkin scored his league-leading 27th goal and added an assist as the Capitals pushed their lead in the Southeast Division to four points over idle Winnipeg. Troy Brouwer, defenseman Jack Hillen, Jason Chimera and Eric Fehr also tallied and Braden Holtby turned aside 35 shots for Washington.

Rookie Richard Panik and Martin St. Louis each scored two goals for the Lightning and Teddy Purcell tied it with 2:35 left in regulation. Mathieu Garon made 15 saves for Tampa Bay after starter Ben Bishop allowed three goals on 20 first-period shots.

The Lightning killed off three penalties before Brouwer gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead with the man advantage on a one-timer from the right faceoff circle 13:45 into the contest. Hillen scored on an odd-man rush five minutes later and Ovechkin got behind the Lightning defense with 38 seconds left in the first period for a 3-0 lead.

Mathieu Perreault set up Chimera on a 3-on-1 only 2:41 into the third period to push the advantage to 4-0. The Capitals led 5-2 before Panik deflected Radko Gudas' shot 4:23 into the third, St. Louis tipped in a rebound with 11:43 remaining and Purcell swept in a backhand after Tom Pyatt’s third assist.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals C Mike Ribeiro set up Brouwer’s goal for his 600th career point and added an assist on Green's overtime goal. … Lightning D Sami Salo played his 800th NHL game. … Washington D Steve Oleksy added two assists and Capitals C Nicklas Backstrom had a helper to extend his point streak to nine games.