Final Score: Florida 2, Washington 1 (SO)

Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Matt Pettinger failed to convert on a penalty shot in the first period but he scored the game-winner in the shootout to lift the Washington Capitals past the Florida Panthers, 2-1, at the BankAtlantic Center.

Alexander Ovechkin added a goal in regulation and scored in the shootout for Washington, which has won two of its last three games. Brent Johnson made 47 saves in goal for the Capitals.

Gary Roberts scored Florida's only goal in regulation and Jamie McLennan stopped 48 shots for the Panthers, who have lost two of their last three games. Olli Jokinen was the only Panther to score in the shootout.

After a scoreless third period and overtime forced a shootout, Ovechkin got Washington on the board in the second round after he beat McLennan glove side. Jokinen kept Florida alive when he beat Johnson stick side in round three, but Pettinger regained the lead for the Caps after he beat McLennan stick side.

Jozef Stumpel had a chance to force a fifth round in the shootout but his shot rang off the post to seal the win for Washington.

Florida drew first blood 5:13 into the second period after Roberts converted an easy tap-in with a backhand on the doorstep after a pretty pass from Joe Nieuwendyk from behind the net for a 1-0 lead.

Washington netted the equalizer with 6:53 remaining in the middle stanza when Ovechkin went in alone on Johnson and deked to his backhand before beating him with his forehand for his 51st tally of the season to tie the game at 1-1.

Game Notes

Florida fell to 7-0-1 against Washington this season but has won 10 of the last 14 meetings overall...The Panthers will finish their season on Tuesday against Atlanta, while the Capitals will finish their season with a home game against Atlanta on Tuesday and a road tilt in Tampa the following night...Nieuwendyk and Jokinen had three-game goal-scoring streaks snapped...Roberts extended his points streak to four games...The Panthers and Caps combined for 94 shots, which set a new mark for combined shots in a game for Florida. The previous mark was 89 set earlier this season against the Caps.

04/15 22:33:33 ET