(My Sportsbook) - The Washington Capitals will try to move closer to clinching their second straight Southeast Division title when they visit the rival Carolina Hurricanes tonight at RBC Center.

The Capitals have 96 points on the year and are 13 points ahead of Carolina for the division lead with just nine games remaining in the regular season for both clubs.

Washington has won three of five meetings with the Hurricanes this year and tonight's test marks the regular-season finale between the clubs. The Caps have taken five of seven overall in the series, but they have also dropped six of their last eight games in Raleigh.

The Capitals are just one point behind idle New Jersey for the second seed in the East. Washington has won two straight and five of its last six contests and is coming off Thursday's decisive victory in Tampa.

Alex Ovechkin tallied his league-leading 50th goal of the season and Mike Green scored twice as Washington scored three times in the third period to defeat the Lightning, 5-2, at St. Pete Times Forum.

Ovechkin, who also had two assists, became the first Capitals player to ever notch three separate 50-goal seasons. While Ovechkin is leading all NHL players with 50 markers, Green is pacing all defensemen with 27 goals on the season.

Michael Nylander and Matt Bradley also lit the lamp for Washington, while Viktor Kozlov notched three helpers in the win. Simeon Varlamov was solid between the pipes stopping 26-of-28 shots for the Caps.

The Caps are 2-1-0 so far on a five-game road trip that is scheduled to end Tuesday in Toronto. Washington is 19-13-4 as the visiting team this season.

The Hurricanes, meanwhile, picked up an important comeback victory Friday evening against the visiting New York Islanders. Carolina is fighting for a postseason berth and is currently the sixth seed in the East with 83 points.

Chad LaRose scored twice, including the game-winner in the third period, as Carolina edged the Islanders, 5-4, at RBC Center.

Matt Cullen had two goals and an assist while Ray Whitney and Joe Corvo each had three assists for the Hurricanes, who have won two straight on the heels of a three-game losing streak. Cam Ward made 28 saves in the win.

The win moved Carolina one point ahead of the Rangers for the sixth spot in the East. However, the Hurricanes are still only three points ahead of ninth- seeded Florida.

Tonight marks the end of a three-game homestand for the Hurricanes, who have won seven straight as the host and have a 21-13-1 record on home ice this season.