Overview
- Pittsburgh halted a two-game skid with a composed third period at PPG Paints Arena after blowing a three-goal lead earlier in the week against Toronto.
- Sidney Crosby struck twice on first-period power plays as the Penguins raced to a 3-0 lead before Washington tied it 3-3 by the second intermission through Dylan Strome, Rasmus Sandin, and Tom Wilson.
- Bryan Rust redirected an Evgeni Malkin feed for the go-ahead power-play goal at 11:16 of the third, and Connor Dewar sealed it with an empty-netter at 17:56.
- Special teams proved decisive as Pittsburgh went 3-for-5 on the power play and Washington finished 0-for-3, underscoring broader Capitals PP and PK problems highlighted by local analysis.
- Goaltender Arturs Silovs made 28 saves to steady the Penguins in the final frame, while Charlie Lindgren stopped 26 shots for Washington as Alex Ovechkin logged two assists.