Capitals 4, Lightning 2: Captain Alex Ovechkin scored two goals and backup Michal Neuvirth made 28 saves as host Washington edged Tampa Bay to move into sole possession of first place in the Southeast Division.

Joel Ward recorded a goal and an assist and defenseman John Carlson also tallied for the Capitals, who have won four in a row and are 8-1-1 in their last 10 contests. Playing for the first time since March 16, Neuvirth stopped all 11 shots in the third before Ovechkin’s 25th goal into the empty net with five seconds left tied Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos for the league lead.

Captain Vincent Lecavalier registered a power-play goal and an assist and Alex Killorn also scored for the Lightning, who dropped eight points behind the Capitals in the Southeast. Ben Bishop turned aside 34 shots in his third start in four days for Tampa Bay.

Lecavalier scored 1:52 into the game after redirecting Martin St. Louis' pass from the right faceoff dot. Ovechkin tipped home defenseman Jack Hillen’s shot from the left point 3:14 into the second as the Capitals drew even.

Killorn beat Neuvirth with a nifty move to the backhand 3:23 later, but Carlson tied it at 12:54 on a point shot that deflected off Tampa Bay defenseman Eric Brewer’s stick. Ward steamed in from the left faceoff circle to beat Bishop with 3:39 left in the second for a 3-2 lead.

GAME NOTEBOOK: St. Louis played his 900th game with the Lightning and his 969th overall. The veteran had an assist to give him 899 career points. … Washington C Nicklas Backstrom earned his 300th career assist on Ovechkin’s first goal. … Tampa Bay D Matt Carle had an assist, extending his point streak to five games (seven points).