Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Alexander Semin notched his fourth career hat trick and Tomas Fleischmann scored the winning goal 1:37 into overtime, as the Washington Capitals edged Atlanta, 4-3, at Verizon Center.
Mathieu Perreault added two assists and Michal Neuvirth made 29 saves for the Capitals, who have won eight in a row at home over the Thrashers dating to a 2-0 loss on February 2, 2008.
Evander Kane netted two goals, including the tying tally with 32.9 seconds left in regulation, for the Thrashers, losers of three in a row. Chris Mason made 40 saves.
Semin gave the Caps a 3-2 lead with 6:32 left in regulation when he put in a backhander from in front.
Alex Ovechkin was sent in on a minibreakaway with 6:12 left, but he bowled over Mason after the save was made. Ovechkin was given an interference penalty, but the Thrashers couldn't score on the ensuing power play. Ron Hainsey had a wide open net on the right side, but his backhander sailed wide.
The Thrashers pulled Mason with just over a minute left and Neuvirth covered the puck in the crease after a mad scramble. However, Atlanta tied the game when Kane batted the puck out of the air in front and by Neuvirth.
In the extra session, Eric Fehr took a shot from above the right circle. Fleischmann was in the inside edge of the same circle and he lifted a backhand high past Mason for the game-winner.
Andrew Ladd scored on the power play with 58 seconds left in the opening period. With John Erskine in the penalty box for boarding, Ladd got the puck in the slot and kicked it to himself before depositing the disc under the pads of Neuvirth.
Semin tied the game 38 seconds into the second as his blast from the wall, near the right circle floated high to the blocker side of Mason.
Kane's goal nearly four minutes later boosted the Thrashers back into the lead. Rich Peverley sent the disc from behind the net to Kane in front for the successful redirection.
The Caps had a goal disallowed with 8:18 left in the second. Semin took a shot from the left circle and the puck deflected to Mike Green in front. Green used his left skate to direct the puck between a maze of players and past Mason. The goal call was originally made on the ice, but the score was taken away upon review that Green used a kicking motion to send the puck past the goal line.
Atlanta enforcer Dustin Byfuglien was given a charging major and a game misconduct with 2:28 left in the second when he threw his forearm at Neuvirth, knocking him over. Byfuglien was on a mini-breakaway when his shot was stopped before he was sent off the ice.
The Caps tied the game 5:09 into the third on Semin's second tally of the evening. A turnover in the Atlanta zone allowed Perreault to skate with the puck, but he tumbled to the ice in the slot, where Semin was alone for his fourth goal of the year.
Game Notes
Earlier Saturday, the Capitals recalled centers Jay Beagle and Perreault along with goaltender Dany Sabourin from Hershey of the American Hockey League...Ladd has a five-game point streak...Atlanta went 1-for-6 on the power play, while Washington was 0-for-3.