However, the Washington Capitals might have been fooled by the earlier start time, as they didn't really seem to turn on the gas until the third period, and even then, it wasn't enough to overcome the surging Ottawa Senators in a 5-4 overtime loss on Thursday.

Caps give up two penalty shots -- while on the power play -- and lose to Senators in overtime, 5-4, despite a goal from Alex Ovechkin.

Thomas Chabot starred in the Ottawa Senators' win over Alex Ovechkin's Washington Capitals and left a warning for the rest of the NHL teams.

Facing the NHL’s top team, the Senators blew a 4-2 lead in the third period but kept their composure and defeated the Washington Capitals 5-4 in overtime. On his 28th birthday, Thomas Chabot scored the game-winner for the Sens, who earned their third consecutive victory to hold steady among the Atlantic's big three.

However, Alex Ovechkin and Dylan Strome didn't like that storyline, and refused to let their team leave empty-handed. The two led a furious rally in the third period to force overtime, but ultimately, a lack of discipline and a rough go-of-it led to a 5-4 loss.

One thing to watch: It’s been an awakening for The Great 8, 39-year-old Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin, who has 22 goals in 34 games (he scored 31 all of last season). With 875 career goals, he’s now just 19 behind the NHL all-time record set by Wayne Gretzky.

It was a necessary and welcomed change, but it only helped magnify how abnormal Monday's press conference in Quebec City was to announce the Senators will be playing two exhibitio

The teams with the two highest point totals in the NHL will face off on Saturday night when the Winnipeg Jets visit the Washington Capitals.

While the Minnesota Wild continue their season-long success on the road, the Ottawa Senators remain a strong outfit at home.

The Austin Bruins beat the Aberdeen Wings (21-15-1 overall) 3-1 in Aberdeen Friday. Jack Solomon had 34 saves for Austin (26-7-2-2 overall). SCORING SUMMARY Email newsletter signup Sign up for our daily email newsletter Austin 0 1 2  – 3 Aberdeen 0 0 1  – 1 First period No scoring Second period (A) Zander Lipsett

The Hayfield/Schaeffer Academy girls basketball team took down Kenyon-Wanamingo (7-15 overall) 73-37 in Kenyon Friday. Jenna Christopherson hit six threes as she scored 20 points for the Vikings (11-9 overall).