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Published: Apr 04, 2008 12:30 AM

Modified: Apr 04, 2008 05:26 AM

Capitals even with Canes in Southeast

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Joseph White, The Associated Press Comment on this story

WASHINGTON - Alex Ovechkin's record-setting goal was scored in such close quarters that it took some 20 minutes and a host of replay angles before he got credit for it. He left no doubt when he scored again, unleashing a blistering shot that put the Washington Capitals one step closer to the playoffs.

Serenaded again with chants of "M-V-P!" from the red-clad sellout crowd, Ovechkin broke Luc Robitaille's single-season NHL record for most goals by a left wing with his 64th and 65th scores Thursday night to lead the Capitals to a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The win put the Capitals into the top eight in the Eastern Conference, although they have only one game left to play while most of their rivals for the final playoff spots still have two to go. Washington, which is tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for the Southeast Division lead with 92 points but lacks the tiebreaker, likely needs to beat Florida at home in Saturday's regular-season finale to reach the postseason for the first time since 2003 -- and for the first time in Ovechkin's young career.

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