Pens Tie Caps 2-2

WASHINGTON -- The rising puck appeared destined to ring off the back boards, and defeat seemed inevitable for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

That's when Olaf Kolzig stuck his glove out, changing everything.

Alex Hicks' off-center shot found its way into the net with 2:31 left in regulation Wednesday night, giving the Penguins a 2-2 tie that ended the Washington Capitals' five-game home winning streak.

Hicks took a climbing slap shot from just inside the blue line that appeared headed to the left of the net. But the puck bounced off Kolzig's outstretched glove and plopped into the goal, enabling Pittsburgh to extend its unbeaten streak to five games (3-0-2).

"I thought it was going to go maybe a little bit wide but it was going to be close," Hicks said. "Olie is phenomenal. He's so big that you have to be almost lucky to get it by him when he's on, and maybe I was lucky tonight."

Kolzig stopped 21 shots, but the Capitals won't soon forget the second of the two that got by him.

"It was going wide," Washington coach Ron Wilson said. "He didn't have to grab it. It spun into the net when it was really wide."

Peter Bondra and Adam Oates both had a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who couldn't convert a power play that began with 45 seconds left in regulation and extended into the extra period. Washington outshot Pittsburgh 6-0 in overtime.

Andrew Brunette had two assists for the Capitals, who had to be content with stretching their unbeaten streak to six (4-0-2). Washington was looking for a sixth straight home win for the first time since the 1995-96 season.

"I thought we played a good game. We're happy with the point," Bondra said. "I'm happy with the way we're playing. Everyone should be."

Pittsburgh's Jaromir Jagr, who signed a four-year, $38 million extension on Tuesday, registered his 39th assist and league-leading 61st point on a first-period goal by Stu Barnes. But he managed only two shots against a checking line led by enforcer Craig Berube.

"We did a good job against him. One of the big keys is when you can stand Jagr up, and we did that more than a few times," Berube said.

Tom Barrasso had 24 saves for the Penguins, who are 1-1-1 against Washington this season.

"It's a fun matchup, if you ask me," Pittsburgh coach Kevin Constantine said. "The teams play similar styles and are very, very even."

Pittsburgh's Kevin Hatcher was called for interference 24 seconds into the game and Oates converted the power play at 1:14, scoring from the slot after taking a pass from Brunette.

Barnes tied it at 7:33 on Pittsburgh's first shot, a power-play goal in which Hatcher and Jagr received assists.

The Capitals didn't take their first shot in the second period until the 9:35 mark, shortly after Pittsburgh's Robert Lang was given a four-minute penalty for high-sticking.

After Washington struggled to get the puck into the Penguins' zone for mch of the penalty, Bondra got his 33rd goal on a rebound of a shot by Oates at 12:50 for a 2-1 lead.

Oates was credited with his 40th assist and Brunette got the second assist, giving him 10 goals and seven assists in his last 13 games.