Penguins Shut Out 3-0 by Capitals in Potential Crosby-Ovechkin Finale

Pittsburgh's regular season ends with a mailed-in performance ahead of playoffs

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:41pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstracted hockey game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, with the players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and the puck and ice surface represented by bold, intersecting lines.The historic Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry is fractured into geometric abstraction as the Penguins and Capitals face off one final time in the regular season.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins were shut out 3-0 by the Washington Capitals in what may have been the final regular season matchup between longtime rivals and NHL superstars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. The Penguins, who have already clinched a playoff spot after a surprising turnaround season, rested key players ahead of the postseason.

Why it matters

The Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry has defined the NHL for the past two decades, and the possibility that this was their last regular season meeting carries significant historical weight. The Penguins' remarkable in-season turnaround also highlights the team's resilience and the GM's ability to quickly rebuild the roster.

The details

The Penguins, who finished second-to-last in their division last season, have made an 18-point jump into the playoffs this year. Though they were shut out 3-0 by the Capitals, goaltender Stuart Skinner had a solid effort, allowing just two goals on 25 shots. The Penguins are now focused on the playoffs, where they will likely face their old rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers, in the first round.

  • The Penguins and Capitals faced off on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The Penguins close out the regular season on Tuesday, April 15, 2026 with a road game against the St. Louis Blues.

The players

Sidney Crosby

A legendary NHL player who has been the face of the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise for over 20 years, and has had a storied rivalry with Alex Ovechkin.

Alex Ovechkin

A superstar player for the Washington Capitals who has been Crosby's rival for the past two decades, defining the NHL during their careers.

Stuart Skinner

The Penguins' starting goaltender, who had a solid performance in the loss, allowing just two goals on 25 shots.

Kyle Dubas

The General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who has engineered the team's remarkable in-season turnaround and has assets and cap flexibility to further improve the roster.

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What they’re saying

“Though the game ended in a 3-0 shutout, it was a solid overall effort from Stuart Skinner. He allowed two goals on 25 shots, his second consecutive start allowing just two goals.”

— Ryan Womeldorf, Author

What’s next

The Penguins will face the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the playoffs, renewing their historic rivalry.

The takeaway

The Penguins' surprising turnaround this season, going from second-to-last in their division to making the playoffs, is a testament to the team's resilience and the GM's ability to quickly rebuild the roster. While this may have been the final regular season matchup between NHL legends Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, their rivalry has defined the league for two decades and will be remembered as one of the greatest in sports history.