WASHINGTON: The Washington Capitals overcame the absence of league MVP Alex Ovechkin to edge the Nashville Predators 4-3 in a shootout on Tuesday.

Ovechkin returned to Russia earlier this week to visit his 83-year-old ill grandfather, ending a 203 consecutive-game streak for last season's scoring champion.

Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said he was delighted with the win but was expecting the club to struggle without their leader.