PITTSBURGH (AP) — Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin showcased their greatness in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 5-2 win over the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, April 17, 2025. The game, which marked the end of the regular season for both teams, was a fitting finale as these two legends faced off for the 73rd time in their storied rivalry.
Ovechkin finished his record-breaking season by netting his 897th career goal in the second period, further solidifying his place in the pantheon of NHL greats. Meanwhile, Crosby capped off his 20th season in the NHL with a goal and an assist, pushing him past the 90-point barrier for the ninth time in his illustrious career.
The Capitals, who had already clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs weeks ago, will begin their quest for the franchise’s second Stanley Cup on Monday, April 21, 2025, against the Montreal Canadiens. In contrast, the rebuilding Penguins missed the postseason, making this game a bittersweet conclusion to their campaign.
Bryan Rust was a standout for the Penguins, scoring twice to finish the season with a career-best 31 goals. His second goal came on a spectacular backhand feed from Crosby, giving Pittsburgh a 3-1 lead. Rust's performance was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season for the Penguins.
In goal, Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 18 shots for Pittsburgh, while Clay Stevenson made 33 saves in his NHL debut for the Capitals. Despite allowing five goals, Stevenson was praised for his effort, coming up with several big saves.
The game started with excitement as the Capitals struck first. Just 4:08 into the first period, Connor McMichael scored, capitalizing on a rebound from a Tom Wilson shot, putting Washington ahead 1-0. However, the Penguins quickly responded. Just a minute later, Bryan Rust tied the game at 1-1, marking his 30th goal of the season.
As the first period progressed, the intensity was reminiscent of a playoff atmosphere, even though both teams had little to play for. Sidney Crosby set up Ville Koivunen for a chance, but the rookie rang the puck off the post, highlighting the missed opportunities on both sides.
In the second period, the Penguins took the lead with a power play goal. Crosby made an incredible behind-the-back pass to Rust, who quickly added his 31st goal of the season, making it 2-1. The Capitals had a goal disallowed shortly thereafter when Ovechkin was ruled offsides before Dylan Strome's shot hit the net.
Pittsburgh extended their lead to 3-1 when Crosby scored, assisted by Phil Tomasino. Ovechkin responded with his 44th goal of the season, narrowing the gap to 3-2, but the Penguins maintained control.
As the third period unfolded, the Penguins found themselves scoring again. Danton Heinen capitalized on a breakaway opportunity, extending the lead to 4-2. Tomasino then sealed the game with a powerful shot, making it 5-2 with just over ten minutes remaining.
Despite the loss, the Capitals were able to rest key players ahead of the playoffs, having already secured their position. The Penguins, on the other hand, were left to reflect on a season filled with challenges and a lack of postseason play.
After the game, Crosby reflected on the season, stating, "It’s always tough to miss the playoffs, but we’ll regroup and come back stronger next year." Meanwhile, Ovechkin expressed excitement for the upcoming playoffs, saying, "We’ve got a great opportunity ahead of us, and I can’t wait to get started against Montreal."
As the regular season comes to a close, the focus now shifts to the playoffs. The Capitals, led by Ovechkin, will look to make a deep run, while the Penguins will aim to learn from this season's challenges and return to contention next year.
The Penguins finished the season with the ninth-best odds in the lottery draft, a small consolation for a team that had high hopes at the start of the year. As both teams prepare for their respective futures, the legacy of Crosby and Ovechkin continues to grow, with fans eagerly anticipating their next encounters.
In other notable games on the final night of the regular season, the New York Rangers defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0, with Mika Zibanejad scoring twice and Igor Shesterkin making 27 saves. The Lightning, who will host the Florida Panthers in the first game of the playoffs, finished the season with 47 wins and 102 points.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres celebrated a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, with Ryan McLeod scoring a goal and adding two assists. This win also marked a significant milestone for coach Lindy Ruff, who became the NHL's fifth coach to reach 900 wins.
In Toronto, Scott Laughton scored in overtime to give the Maple Leafs a 4-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings, securing the Atlantic Division title. The Maple Leafs will host the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs.
As the playoff picture becomes clearer, fans across the league eagerly await the action to unfold, with hopes high for thrilling hockey in the weeks to come.
