Green stays hot April 05, 2013 – Washington, D.C. - Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- By virtue of the quirky way the NHL decides tie games -- with a skills competition that rewards the team that loses -- both the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals have completed a steady climb into playoff position.

The Capitals won a shootout to beat the Islanders 2-1 Thursday night, moving Washington atop the Southeast Division and New York into seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Braden Holtby made 35 saves and then was perfect in the shootout, and Washington also got the help it needed when the Montreal Canadiens finished off a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. The Capitals and Jets both have 38 points, but Washington has two games in hand.

The Capitals also have momentum, winning six of their last eight, no longer resembling the team that started 2-8-1 in the lockout-shortened season.

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Source: Associated Press