Sunrise, FL (My Sportsbook) - Kamil Kreps' third-period goal proved to be the game-winner, as the Florida Panthers doubled up the Washington Capitals, 4-2, at the BankAtlantic Center.

David Booth posted a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who snapped a two- game losing streak. Kreps added an assist, and Tomas Vokoun stopped 30-of-32 shots to pick up his 25th win of the season. Rostislav Olesz and Nathan Horton also tallied, while Gregory Campbell collected two assists.

Tomas Fleischmann registered a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who have dropped two straight and three of four overall. Alexander Semin also lit the lamp, and Brent Johnson made 25 saves in defeat.

The win gives Florida 60 points, which ties Washington for second place in the tight Southeast Division. Atlanta bested New Jersey 4-3 in a shootout on Friday to pull into a tie with idle Carolina (62) for first place. Tampa Bay, which was not in action Friday, sits four points behind the Panthers in the standings.

Fleischmann broke a 1-1 tie when he snapped a wrister from the high slot past the glove of a surprised Vokoun, who misread the play, 57 seconds into the third period.

Three minutes later, Horton netted his 18th goal of the season to knot the score at two, and Kreps put the Panthers in front at the 8:27 mark.

Ville Peltonen's shot went wide and caromed off the end boards. Kreps then picked up the loose puck behind the cage and banked it off the netminder to give Florida a 3-2 lead.

"I saw him (Brent Johnson) out of position a little bit so I tried to get in front really quick," said Kreps. "Then it (puck) went in off his pad. It's a lucky goal, but you know, it counts."

Booth's empty-net goal in the final minute sealed the victory.

"I'm not taking anything away from them (Panthers)," said Washington coach Bruce Boudreau. "They played good, they played hard, but when you make mistakes...you can't beat yourselves. Tonight, I thought, for the most part, we beat ourselves."

Olesz, who was activated from injured reserve prior to the game, made an immediate impact, notching the first goal of the game at 5:52 of the opening frame. Olesz snapped a wrister from the top of the left circle, but Johnson made a stop with the right pad. However, the rebound came back into the middle, where Olesz collected the loose puck and lifted a backhander high over a sliding Johnson.

The left winger missed the previous 12 games after undergoing surgery on his right hand.

The Capitals cashed in on their second power play to knot the score at one. As players converged at the net, Semin emerged with the puck, pulled it to the backhand and roofed it over a fallen Vokoun at 1:12 of the middle stanza.

Game Notes

Florida center Stephen Weiss returned to the lineup after missing Wednesday's game with the flu...Washington's Nicklas Backstrom had one helper to extend his assist streak to three games...Both clubs play pivotal games against Southeast Division foes on Saturday. Florida visits Carolina, while the Capitals travel to Tampa Bay.