Ovechkin Scores in Capitals' Victory Over Shorthanded Penguins

Longtime rivals Crosby and Ovechkin face off in potential final matchup.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:04am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the action of a hockey game, with players' bodies and equipment broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and form.The legendary rivalry between Capitals star Alex Ovechkin and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration of their latest matchup.Today in Pittsburgh

In a highly anticipated matchup between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, star forward Alex Ovechkin scored a goal to lead the Capitals to victory over a shorthanded Penguins squad.

Why it matters

The Penguins-Capitals rivalry is one of the most storied in the NHL, with superstars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin facing off for over a decade. This could potentially be one of the final meetings between the two legendary players as their careers wind down.

The details

The Capitals defeated the Penguins 3-1 in Saturday's game. Ovechkin scored the opening goal for the Capitals, continuing his impressive scoring streak. The Penguins were missing several key players due to injuries, putting them at a disadvantage against the Capitals' full lineup.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 12, 2026.
  • Ovechkin scored the opening goal for the Capitals.

The players

Alex Ovechkin

A star forward for the Washington Capitals and one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history.

Sidney Crosby

The longtime captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of Ovechkin's biggest rivals, considered one of the best players of his generation.

Washington Capitals

The NHL team based in Washington, D.C. that defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in this game.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The NHL team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that was defeated by the Washington Capitals in this game.

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What they’re saying

“It's always a special game when we play the Penguins, especially with Sid on the other side. I'm just glad we were able to come out on top tonight.”

— Alex Ovechkin

The takeaway

This game highlighted the enduring rivalry between two of the NHL's greatest players, Ovechkin and Crosby, as they face off potentially for one of the final times in their illustrious careers.