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The Associated Press

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WASHINGTON - Alexander Semin returned from a two-game absence with a tiebreaking goal and an assist, Jose Theodore stopped Darroll Powe's penalty shot later in the third period, and the Washington Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2 Tuesday night.

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AP

Washington Capitals goalie Jose Theodore falls on the ice as he defends the Capitals' goal with teammates Tom Poti (3) and Milan Jurcina (23) against Philadelphia Flyers center Jeff Carter (17), James van Riemsdyk (21) and Danny Briere (48) during NHL action Tuesdsay night. Caps won, 4-2.

Alex Ovechkin scored two goals - including an empty-netter in the final minute - and Nicklas Backstrom had four points for the Capitals.

The Southeast Division leaders rallied from a 2-0 deficit to stretch their winning streak to five games.

After a scoreless opening period, Scott Hartnell and Braydon Coburn put in power-play goals in the second to put the Flyers ahead.

But, with Theodore en route to 41 saves, the game was tied heading into the third.

About 5 1/2 minutes into the final period, Semin put the hosts ahead to stay with his seventh goal of the season.

His wrist shot appeared to deflect off defenceman Kimmo Timonen on its way past goalie Ray Emery.

Semin sat out Washington's previous two games because he was, as coach Bruce Boudreau put it, sick and sore.

But Semin looked just fine from the outset against Philadelphia, challenging Emery with a strong shot on his first shift.

The forward would have to wait to score, though, eventually doing so off assists from Backstrom and defenceman Mike Green.

Less than 1 1/2 minutes later, Powe got his chance to tie things up again, but Theodore kicked away the penalty shot.