WASHINGTON -- Sergei Fedorov has laced them up for 181 NHL playoff games, the equivalent of more than two full regular seasons. He won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 1997, '98 and 2002.

At 38, the Capitals forward still likes the thrill, especially after he missed the postseason four consecutive seasons with Anaheim and Columbus before getting back last year with Washington.

"I get a little bit nervous still before every game," he said. "It's a new game for me every game, no matter how much in the past you've played. Plus, you can't be too relaxed because you're playing against 20-year-olds."

Fedorov's experience gave coach Bruce Boudreau the option of shifting him to defense in the third period of Game 5 against the Penguins Saturday night when Washington was pushing for a tying goal -- one it eventually got, but still lost in overtime, 4-3.

"We needed a little more offense, I thought, especially when a team is sitting back and not pressuring you," Boudreau said. "He is very good at moving the puck. We thought there was a better chance of us getting a goal offensively with him playing defense."

With three assists in this second-round series, Fedorov's 123 in postseason play ranks him first among active players and seventh all time. His 175 career playoff points put him in a 14th-place tie with Denis Savard and one behind Jean Beliveau.

"He's like a fourth coach," Boudreau said. "He's into it. He's really smart. He might not be as quick as he was a few years ago, but with the puck he doesn't usually give it away.

"You can't take away experience and the things that Sergei brings to the game."

Fedorov backed away from Boudreau's compliment.

"No, I'm not a coach," he said softly. "I'm trying to be a teammate to everyone on our club, not really voicing my opinion unless I'm asked. I think I have a duty to concentrate on my game and play my minutes and try to be successful at it.

"It's very hard to talk about myself, but, hopefully, a few things I've done in the past help us, help the younger players to get better."

Being back home apparently suited Capitals right winger Alex Ovechkin. Despite the loss, he seemed to be back to his regular form after off games in the two losses at Mellon Arena.

He had the tying goal in the third period and an assist -- his second three-point game of the series after getting a hat trick in Game 2 -- and launched the puck toward the net 12 times, five of them shots on goal, three of them blocked and four that missed the net. He also was tied for the game lead with six hits.

The Capitals did not practice yesterday. "We play Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Monday," Boudreau said. "That's four intense games in six days. What would going on the ice accomplish at this point?" ... Don't expect to see enforcer Donald Brashear, even though he has completed a six-game NHL suspension. "It would be pretty tough, I think, to put him in at this point," Boudreau said. ... Center Nicklas Backstrom'spower-play goal in Game 5 gave him points in eight consecutive games, a club playoff record. Backstrom, who was moved to Ovechkin's line in Game 5, also had an assist, giving him 11, tied for second in Washington history in one postseason. ... The Capitals are 0-8 against the Penguins in Game 5 in the playoffs.