Sidney Crosby scored twice on the power play, Evgeni Malkin had a goal and three assists, and the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals 4-0 on Friday night for their first win of the season.
Crosby’s first goal came while he was falling in front of the net, and his second was a one-timer off a pass from Malkin, who opened the scoring with a shot past Charlie Lindgren. Offseason acquisition Erik Karlsson made the play to keep the puck in at the blue line to set up Malkin’s goal.
In the second period, Tristan Jarry made 19 saves, including a stop on Alex Ovechkin’s breakaway, to secure the shutout. Malkin also assisted on Reilly Smith’s goal in the third period, giving him a four-point night.
The strong performances from Crosby, Malkin, and Jarry helped the Penguins bounce back from their season-opening loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Capitals, led by new head coach Spencer Carbery, were unable to score against the Penguins, and goaltender Charlie Lindgren, who started in place of Darcy Kuemper, played well despite allowing four goals on 35 shots.
This was the first time the Capitals have been shut out in a season opener in their 49-season history.
In other news, Lars Eller, a former Capitals center, received a video tribute and standing ovation in his return to Washington as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Eller played for the Capitals for six-plus seasons and scored the Stanley Cup-clinching goal in 2018.
The Penguins will face the Calgary Flames on Saturday night, while the Capitals will host the Flames on Monday night.
UP NEXT
Penguins: Host the Calgary Flames on Saturday night.
Capitals: Host the Flames on Monday night.
