Alex Ovechkin inches closer to goals record, but Winnipeg Jets have last laugh in overtime

Nikolaj Ehlers scored on a breakaway 1:28 into overtime to help the Winnipeg Jets clinch a playoff spot by downing the Washington Capitals 3-2 in Tuesday's showdown between the NHL's top two teams.

The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals were in a line change when Ehlers grabbed the puck and fired a wrist shot past goalie Logan Thompson for his 24th goal of the season.

Washington star Alex Ovechkin had tied the game 2-2 with a one-timer that went through Connor Hellebuyck's pads with four minutes remaining in the third period.

Ovechkin now has 889 career goals, six away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record of 894.

Josh Morrissey and Mason Appleton also scored for the Jets (49-19-4), who swept the two-game season series against Washington after taking the first game 5-4, also in overtime.

Hellebuyck made 27 saves for the Western Conference-leading Jets in front of the team's third straight sellout and 11th of the season at Canada Life Centre.

Andrew Mangiapane also scored for the Capitals (47-15-9), extending his goal streak to three games with three goals. Thompson stopped 22 shots.

Winnipeg led 1-0 after the fast, tight-checking first period when Morrissey's one-timer went off Capitals defenceman Martin Fehervary in front of the net and past Thompson at 6:50.

After sitting in the box for cross-checking Jets defenceman Colin Miller in the chest, Mangiapane stepped out, joined a three-on-two and sent a shot over Hellebucyk's right shoulder with 40 seconds left in the period.

Winnipeg outshot the Capitals 8-6 in the opening frame.

Washington had the game's first two power plays in the second period, putting a pair of shots in each one at Hellebuyck.

Appleton broke the tie with 12 seconds remaining in the