Hayes Scores Goal to Trim Deficit in Penguins-Capitals Game

Kevin Hayes exits the penalty box and buries a laser shot to make it 4-3 in the 2nd period

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:57pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the hockey action of Kevin Hayes scoring a goal, with the Penguins and Capitals uniforms represented through sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of vibrant colors.Kevin Hayes' timely goal kept the Penguins within reach as they mounted a comeback against their division rivals.Boston Today

In a matchup between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, Kevin Hayes scored a goal in the 2nd period to cut the Capitals' lead to 4-3. Hayes exited the penalty box, got the puck, and raced in to bury a powerful shot that found the back of the net.

Why it matters

This goal by Hayes kept the Penguins within striking distance as they looked to mount a comeback against their division rivals. The Capitals had built up a 4-1 lead, so Hayes' tally was crucial in keeping the Penguins in the game.

The details

With the Capitals leading 4-1 in the 2nd period, Kevin Hayes exited the penalty box and was immediately sprung on a breakaway. He raced in on the Capitals' goalie Logan Thompson and fired a laser shot that beat Thompson cleanly to make the score 4-3.

  • The goal was scored in the 2nd period of the April 11, 2026 game between the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The players

Kevin Hayes

A forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins who scored a crucial goal to cut the Capitals' lead to 4-3 in the 2nd period.

Logan Thompson

The goaltender for the Washington Capitals who was unable to stop Hayes' shot that made the score 4-3.

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What they’re saying

“That was a huge goal by Hayes to get us back in this game. We needed that spark to get us going again.”

— Mike Sullivan, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins

What’s next

The Penguins will look to build off Hayes' goal and try to complete the comeback against their division rivals, the Washington Capitals.

The takeaway

Kevin Hayes' timely goal kept the Penguins within striking distance as they looked to overcome a multi-goal deficit against the Capitals. This type of clutch scoring can be the difference in close divisional matchups.