WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored in overtime and the Washington Capitals picked up their 50th win of the season and became the first NHL team to clinch a playoff spot as they beat the Carolina Hurricanes, 2-1, on Tuesday night.

Ovechkin scored his seventh game-winner of the season 1:38 into overtime after the Capitals clinched a playoff spot by picking up a point. It's their eighth playoff appearance in nine seasons.

Justin Williams also scored for Washington, which got 25 saves from goaltender Braden Holtby.

Hurricanes goalie Eddie Lack stopped 29 of the 31 shots he faced. Jordan Staal scored for Carolina, whose dim playoff hopes took another hit.

—?Associated Press