(1/44)October 13, 2023; Washington, DC, United States; Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael (24) throws a pass to Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry during the first period at Capital One Arena (35) shot.Mandatory Credit: Jeff Burke-USA TODAY Sports for licensing rights
October 14 – Evgeni Malkin scored a goal and assisted 3 times, Sidney Crosby scored twice, goalkeeper Tristan Jarry Jarry stopped all 19 shots he faced on Friday as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Washington Capitals 4-0 on the road.
This is Washington’s season opener and Capitals player Spencer Carbery’s NHL head coaching debut.
Not only was this a meeting between decades-long rivals, it was also the 66th meeting between Washington star centers Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. When the two sides competed, the Penguins led 39-23-4.
Riley Smith also scored and Jake Guentzel had two assists for the Penguins, who earned their first win.
It was Jarry’s 14th career shutout and his second against the Capitals.
Washington goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who started as Darcy Kuemper and his wife welcomed a son Thursday night, faced the Penguins for the first time. He made 31 saves.
Malkin broke the deadlock at 4:07 of the second quarter. After Ovechkin’s turnover, Malkin received a pass from Rikard Recker in the open space. His turnaround shot beat Lindgren’s glove to make it 1-0.
Erik Karlsson got a second assist by reaching out to keep the puck in the offensive zone, his first point since being acquired by Pittsburgh in a blockbuster offseason trade.
In a powerful attack 1 minute and 44 seconds later, Crosby expanded the score to 2-0. He moved to the net from the left side and, while falling, lifted the puck as Guentzel’s shot bounced through traffic.
During a four-on-three power play, Crosby made it 3-0 with a single from near the bottom of the right circle at 11:46 of the second period.
Jarry stopped Ovechkin’s drive with about four minutes left in the second quarter to keep Washington off the scoreboard.
Smith scored his first points with the Penguins at 16:57 of the third period when he beat Lindgren with his glove to make it 4-0.
With 24 seconds left in the game, Washington’s Tom Wilson and Pittsburgh’s Marcus Pettersson faced off.
–Scene-level media
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