Capitals 2, Panthers 1 (SO): Captain Alex Ovechkin scored in the third round of the shootout as Washington recorded its ninth consecutive home victory against Florida.

Playing in his 500th career game, Nicklas Backstrom joined Evgeny Kuznetsov by scoring in the bonus format while Florida's Jonathan Huberdeau also tallied. Justin Peters denied former teammate Jussi Jokinen with his blocker in the second round and Ovechkin skated in and faked Al Montoya to the ice before wiring a shot under the crossbar to seal the win.

Jason Chimera scored in the first period and Eric Fehr and Joel Ward each notched an assist for the Capitals, who improved to 20-4-2 in their last 26 meetings with the Panthers. Peters finished with 20 saves to record his first victory with his new team.

Brad Boyes netted a power-play goal in the third and Montoya turned aside 27 shots for the Panthers, who have mustered just five goals in as many games this season. Sean Bergenheim and defenseman Dylan Olsen each had an assist in a losing effort.

Fehr's sharp centering feed was reeled in at the doorstep by Chimera, who deftly dragged the puck past a lunging Montoya before backhanding a shot into the gaping net with 2:48 remaining in the first period. Florida leveled the contest 4:27 into the third as Bergenheim fought for the rebound of Olsen's shot from the point, freeing the puck before Boyes slammed it home for a power-play goal.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Capitals nearly seized a 2-0 lead in the second as C Brooks Laich deflected D Mike Green's shot from the point past Montoya, but the officials quickly deemed that the former's stick was above the crossbar. ... Panthers C Brandon Pirri registered a team-high three shots on goal in place of Dave Bolland, who sat out after exiting Friday's tilt versus Buffalo with a lower-body injury. ... Washington won 41 of the 63 faceoffs.