The Washington Capitals have recaptured the top slot in the Southeast Division. They won their third straight game, and passed the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the division. This win took longer than an hour once again, as Washington defeated the Florida Panthers 3-2 in overtime. The win puts the Capitals back on top in the Southeast Division.

The Capitals fell behind early in the game, as they often do, on a goal from Bill Thomas. But the Panthers' lead didn't last long, as Nicklas Backstrom scored his 17th goal of the season just two minutes later. Alex Ovechkin assisted on the Backstrom goal as two of Washington's stars continue their resurgence.

Boyd Gordon put the Capitals in front in the second period, where they would stay until the final minutes. But late in the third penalty, John Erskine took a tripping penalty, and the Panthers made Washington pay. David Booth scored a power play goal with just 2:36 remaining to send the game to an extra period.

Refusing to let the game be settled on penalty shots, Alexander Semin put it away. On the first shot that his line with Brooks Laich and Jason Arnott could muster, Semin scored the game-winner in overtime to put the Capitals back