TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Peter Bondra still can't figure out why he is so successful against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Bondra scored his 33rd goal in 32 career games against the Lightning as the Washington Capitals beat Tampa Bay 4-2 Wednesday night.

"I can't explain it," said Bondra, who had gone six games without a goal. "I guess I try to get ready like for any other game, maybe it's just luck. I believe the key is I'm not afraid to shoot the puck."

Bondra scored 11 minutes into the second period, breaking a 1-1 tie.

"That's why he gets paid the big bucks," Tampa Bay coach Steve Ludzik said. "He wins games for you."

Washington goalie Olaf Kolzig moved above the .500 mark for the first time in his career, and Terry Yake added two goals, including an empty-netter with 3 seconds left.

"It feels good to contribute a little bit," Yake said. "Anytime you can score, it feels good."

Kolzig stopped 21 shots, including 11 in the third-period, and improved to 103-102-30 in his NHL career.

Joe Murphy also scored for Washington, which is 21-5-5 since Christmas. The Capitals are 9-3-3 in their past 15 road games.

"The biggest thing is winning games, that's all," Bondra said. "It's fun playing right now."

Washington remains two points behind first place Florida in the Southeast Division. The Panthers beat Toronto 3-1 Wednesday night.

Matt Elich and Vincent Lecavalier scored for Tampa Bay.

Elich's goal was his first in the NHL, coming in his sixth game. The forward scored from below the left-circle just under three minutes into the first period.

After Yake tied it at 1-1 two minutes after Elich's goal, Bondra scored on a second-period slapshot from the top of the right circle during a 2-on-1.

Murphy and Lecavalier -- who scored his team-leading 19th goal -- exchanged third-period goals before Yake secured the Washington win.

"We're not happy with the loss," said Lightning goalie Dan Cloutier, who faced 25 shots in his return after missing three games with a groin injury. "But we've got to be proud of our effort."

Washington's Andrei Nikolishin had two assists. Brendan Witt assisted on Yake's goal and ended a 16-game scoreless streak.

Sergei Gonchar, who was hurt in Washington's game on Monday against the New York Islanders, sat out with a neck injury.

Tampa Bay lost three players to injury, including all-star defenseman Petr Svoboda with a sprained right thumb. Svoboda, along with defenseman Pavel Kubina (bruised left hand) and forward Stan Drulia (bruised right hand) are day to day.