Sidney Crosby’s heads-up play results in his second goal as Penguins defeat Capitals

Sidney Crosby scored two power-play goals, including a heads-up rebound tap-in, to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-3 victory over the Washington Capitals, with the team overcoming a blown three-goal lead in a dramatic NHL game. The intense rivalry between the Penguins and Capitals was on full display Thursday at PPG Paints Arena, where Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin faced off for the 99th time. Pittsburgh started strong, capitalizing on early power plays to build a commanding lead. Crosby opened the scoring at 2:22 of the first period with a precise wrist shot from the right circle, then added his second goal by pouncing on a rebound at 11:32. Anthony Mantha extended the advantage to 3-0 early in the second period, seemingly putting the game out of reach for Washington. However, the Capitals mounted a spirited comeback, with Dylan Strome cutting the deficit to 3-1 midway through the second period off a feed from Ovechkin. After a disallowed goal for offside, Rasmus Sandin scored to make it 3-2, and Tom Wilson tied the game at 3-3 with just five seconds left in the period, capitalizing on a loose puck near the crease. The turnaround tested Pittsburgh’s resilience, echoing a similar collapse days earlier against Toronto. In the third period, the Penguins regained control on the power play, as Bryan Rust redirected a pass from Evgeni Malkin to score the go-ahead goal at 11:16. Rust, who also notched two assists, emphasized the team’s improved puck management and ability to learn from past mistakes. Connor Dewar sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 17:56, securing the 5-3 final and highlighting Pittsburgh’s capacity to close out games under pressure. Crosby’s performance underscored his elite form, as his two goals brought his season total to 11, tying him for the NHL lead and demonstrating his skill at age 38. Ovechkin, fresh off scoring his historic 900th goal, contributed two assists but could not prevent the loss, adding to the storied head-to-head history between the superstars. Post-game, Crosby reflected on the critical role of special teams, while Penguins coach Dan Muse praised his team’s fortitude in avoiding a repeat of recent setbacks. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery lamented his team’s slow start and special teams struggles, which proved decisive in the defeat. The victory improves Pittsburgh to 9-4-2, bolstering their playoff positioning, while Washington falls to 7-6-1, highlighting consistency issues as the season progresses. Both teams now look ahead to future contests, with the rivalry expected to continue delivering high-stakes excitement.