Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Mike Green scored a power-play goal just 23 seconds into overtime, giving the Washington Capitals a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers at the Verizon Center.

Washington started the extra session with the man-advantage after New York's Ryan Hollweg was penalized for tripping in the final minute of the third. The Caps quickly gained the offensive zone after the opening faceoff of overtime and Green blasted a shot from the center point that deflected off the stick of New York's Marc Staal before going through the legs of netminder Stephen Valiquette.

Green, who also scored the overtime winner against the Rangers on December 12, notched his 15th goal of the season and Alexander Ovechkin had a hand in all three goals for Washington, which bounced back from a 2-1 loss Friday against Carolina to win for the third time in four games. The Capitals also moved back into first place in the Southeast Division, one point ahead of the idle Hurricanes and Atlanta Thrashers.

"A lot of games come down to special teams and our penalty killing was fabulous," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Our power play scored two goals for the first time in a long time. That was the difference."

Ovechkin picked up the game's first goal and two assists, giving him a league- best 76 points. Boyd Gordon also scored for Washington, while Olaf Kolzig made 31 saves.

Sean Avery and Chris Drury found the net for the Rangers, who have lost three of their last four games. Valiquette, who blanked Philadelphia on Saturday, got the start in net again for New York and finished with 21 saves.

"We'd like to have gotten two [points]," said Rangers head coach Tom Renney. "We had a chance to win the hockey game and Stephen Valiquette gave us a chance to win the hockey game. Our team battled hard."

The Caps cashed in a power play just under 2 1/2 minutes into the game for a 1-0 lead. Nicklas Backstrom drove to the net through the left circle and had a shot from in close stopped by Valiquette, but the rebound was kicked around until Ovechkin wound up with it and fired it home from below the left circle for his 47th goal of the season.

Avery tied it for New York just past the seven-minute mark. Scott Gomez chipped a pass off the right boards and Avery had enough speed to beat a Washington defender to the puck. The gritty winger snapped a shot from the right circle over Kolzig's left shoulder for his sixth goal.

The Rangers took a 2-1 lead at 9:25 of the second period on Drury's 18th goal. He knocked in the rebound of a Martin Straka chance from the left circle.

Valiquette kept New York in front with a brilliant save on a backhand shot by Alexander Semin, who made a brilliant move through the Ranger zone around a defenseman with 5:22 to play in the period.

Washington managed to tie it with just 14.6 seconds remaining in the second when Gordon scored his fifth on a rebound after Valiquette had stopped Ovechkin from the slot.

Each goaltender made an outstanding save midway through the third period to keep it tied. Valiquette stoned Eric Fehr on a point-blank rebound chance in front and Kolzig came up big moments later when he turned aside Jaromir Jagr from in close and stopped two rebound chances by Avery.