Semin's Steady Shot Seals a Wild Finish

Alex Ovechkin cracked a wide smile when he was asked about Alexander Semin's game-winner.

"It's like European style," Ovechkin said, "because of passing."

Three perfect passes, to be exact, beginning with Semin's long outlet pass to Chris Clark as he streaked through the neutral zone. Clark quickly zipped the puck to defenseman Steve Eminger, who spun away from a check in the high slot while delivering a no-look, behind-the-back dish to Semin as time ticked down in overtime.

Semin snagged the puck, faked Kari Lehtonen to the ice and backhanded the puck over the Atlanta goaltender to lift the Capitals to their second consecutive victory, a come-from-behind 3-2 decision over the Southeast Division leaders at Verizon Center.

Semin's second goal of the night, and fourth in two games, came with 18 seconds remaining in the extra session.

"If Semin have chance to break away, then 90 percent goal," Ovechkin said of his fellow Russian.

"I just felt we played well enough to win the hockey game," Capitals Coach Glen Hanlon said. "There were no ifs, ands or buts. It would have been tough to lose that hockey game."

Washington almost did. But Ovechkin picked a fine time to end his season-worst five-game goal-less drought: at 12 minutes 18 seconds of the third period, with the Capitals trailing by a goal and enjoying a five-on-three power play.

The powerful winger ripped a one-timer past Lehtonen (34 saves) from the top of the circle to even the game at 2. It was just another dramatic moment in a game filled with them.

With 2:28 left to play, Clark was penalized for boarding. His teammates, however, bailed him out and forced overtime, which was nearly as wild as the final few minutes of regulation.

The Capitals were awarded a power play when Thrashers defenseman Garnet Exelby was sent to the penalty box for delay of game. But they couldn't squeeze one past Lehtonen -- until the final seconds, that is.

"Stupid penalties," said Lehtonen, who smashed his stick on the crossbar after Semin's winner. "It's sad to see that happen. It's our second game in a row where we get the lead with hard work and we just don't know how to play with the lead."