Penguins vs. Capitals rivalry, explained: Crosby, Ovechkin and the battle for NHL bragging rights

There’s nothing like a brutal hockey rivalry that sets the standard for all others. For a long time, that was what the rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals was.

While it started with a whimper in the 1980s, the 1990s and 2000s saw a boom period for both teams. Stanley Cup rings were earned, there were Game 7 moments worth watching, and key players showcased their skills to the world.

The rivalry helped the league grow and was must-watch TV for a long time.

From early beginnings to the battles between Crosby and Ovechkin, here’s a breakdown of the heated rivalry between the Penguins and Capitals. 

How the Penguins–Capitals rivalry began

While the origins of the rivalry began in the 1980s, it didn’t heat up until the 1990-91 season.

Pittsburgh beat the Capitals in the playoffs and eventually won the Stanley Cup that year. It marked the beginning of greatness for the Penguins. It also marked the rise of both as Eastern Conference contenders.

Mario Lemieux’s emergence was key in Pittsburgh winning a second straight Stanley Cup during the 1991–92 season. The Penguins beat the favored Capitals in the semifinals.  

Through the 90s, the franchises were always placed at the top of the league, attempting to outdo the other along the way. This was during a time when they were never aligned within the same division.

Crosby vs. Ovechkin: The superstars who defined an era

The 2000s saw an elevation of the rivalry thanks to the emergence of two of the most decorated players in the modern era: Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin.

Ovechkin, the current NHL all-time goal scorer, started his career during the 2005–06 season, the same season as Crosby.

Crosby has three Stanley Cup wins, while Ovechkin eventually won one in 2018. Against one another in 70+ games, Crosby has scored 35 points, while Ovechkin has scored 38. Crosby trumps him in points (62 to 32), while Ovechkin has more power-play goals (21 to 16).  

When they met in the playoffs for the first time during the 2008-09 season, it resulted in an epic seven-game series. Crosby had 13 points (eight goals, five assists), leading the Penguins to a win and an eventual Stanley Cup trophy. Ovechkin had 14 points (eight goals, six assists).

The teams would meet in the playoffs three straight years from 2015 to 2018. Pittsburgh won the meeting during the 2015-2016 season, eventually winning another Stanley Cup. It happened again during the 2016-2017 season. However, the 2017-2018 season saw Washington beat Pittsburgh to advance and eventually hold a Stanley Cup trophy.  

The Playoff History: Penguins dominance and Capitals redemption

Through their storied history, the Penguins have a 40-28-0 record in the playoffs against the Capitals.

Pittsburgh dominated during the Stanley Cup-winning 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons. The Penguins won every matchup until the 2017-18 season.

The 2008-09 postseason saw the Sidney Crosby-Alexander Ovechkin rivalry reach its early hot point. While Ovechkin had 14 points, Crosby’s 13 were enough to lead the Penguins to a win and an eventual Stanley Cup trophy.

The 2016-17 season saw Crosby come back from injury and lead the team to a Game 7. Goalies Marc-Andre Fleury and Braden Holtby were defensive wizards until the latter gave up two goals to the Penguins.

The 2017-18 postseason saw several players injured on both sides. However, it still made for a compelling series. The Capitals’ Nathan Walker became the first Australian to record a point in a Stanley Cup playoff game. It was Washington’s first time advancing to the league semifinal round, where they eventually won the Stanley Cup.

The Modern Chapter: Respect between rivals

There was a seismic shift following the 2018 playoffs. Both teams struggled to become contenders, failing to reach the conference semifinals multiple times.

The 2022–23 season saw both teams miss the playoffs, a rarity. The losses of Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jake Guentzel, Marc-Andre Fleury, and others, whether through trades or free agency, forced changes within the organizations.  

While Crosby and Ovechkin still produced, they are in very different stages in their career. Though a lot has changed, Crosby and Ovechkin are credited with changing the intensity of the rivalry and of the league.

“I think it’s great,” Crosby said on his rivalry with Ovechkin via NHL.com. “It was great when we first started playing against each other, as far as just the rivalry and bringing the best out of everyone. I think it was great for hockey and still is.”