Capitals Top Penguins 6-3 Behind Protas' 3-Point Night

Teenager Ilya Protas shines as Washington builds playoff momentum

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:54am

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the back-and-forth action of a hockey game, with players and the puck rendered as overlapping angular shapes in a vibrant color palette.A cubist interpretation of the intense action and shifting momentum between the Capitals and Penguins in their late-season clash.Today in Pittsburgh

In a hard-fought, combustible matchup between Metropolitan Division rivals, the Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 behind a standout performance from 20-year-old forward Ilya Protas, who scored his first NHL goal and added two assists. The win keeps the Capitals in the thick of the playoff race as they chase a postseason berth.

Why it matters

This game revealed the Capitals' commitment to developing young talent like Protas, who embodied the team's willingness to trust its pipeline even in high-pressure late-season battles. It also highlighted the impact of veteran leadership, as Alex Ovechkin's milestone 929th career goal provided a symbolic anchor for Washington's locker room. The result underscores how teams can forge playoff momentum through incremental wins and cultural consistency, rather than relying on a single talent-driven performance.

The details

Protas, a 2019 third-round draft pick, opened the scoring with his first NHL goal, then added two assists as the Capitals built a 5-1 lead. Washington's power play clicked, converting two of four opportunities, while goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 31 saves. The Penguins, playing without several injured stars including Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang, struggled to mount a sustained comeback despite goals from Anthony Mantha and Kevin Hayes.

  • Protas scored his first NHL goal in the first period.
  • Ovechkin scored his 929th career goal in the third period, an empty-net tally that sealed the win for the Capitals.
  • The game was played on April 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh.

The players

Ilya Protas

A 20-year-old forward for the Washington Capitals, Protas scored his first NHL goal and added two assists in the win.

Alex Ovechkin

The veteran captain of the Washington Capitals, Ovechkin scored his 929th career goal, an empty-net tally that provided insurance for the win.

Darcy Kuemper

The Capitals' starting goaltender, Kuemper made 31 saves to help secure the victory.

Sidney Crosby

The injured captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby missed the game due to injury.

Kris Letang

The injured defenseman for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Letang also missed the game due to injury.

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What they’re saying

“We're betting on our young guys to step up, and Ilya showed tonight that he's ready for the challenge. That's the kind of resilience and depth we're going to need down the stretch.”

— Peter Laviolette, Head Coach, Washington Capitals

“Anytime you can get a milestone goal from a legend like Ovi, it's a reminder of what it takes to win in this league. His leadership is invaluable, especially when the schedule gets this grueling.”

— Nicklas Backstrom, Alternate Captain, Washington Capitals

What’s next

The Capitals will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, with two crucial games remaining against division rivals. The Penguins, meanwhile, will hope to get their injured stars back in the lineup as they aim to secure their own postseason berth.

The takeaway

This game showcased the Capitals' commitment to developing young talent and the impact of veteran leadership, even as teams across the league navigate the challenges of late-season fatigue and injury-depleted rosters. The result underscores how playoff momentum is forged through incremental wins and cultural consistency, rather than relying on a single talent-driven performance.