The Washington Capitals saw flashes of the magic that carried them to the top of the East just a season ago on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, as they managed to claw back from down 3-0 and take back control of the game. As the story would have it, though, special teams against cost D.C. two points.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have conquered the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs during their three championship runs in the Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin/Kris Letang era. The Caps vanquished the Pens in the second round en route to their 2018 Cup victory.

Pittsburgh Penguins rookie forward Ben Kindel doesn’t have strong memories of how the enduring rivalry between his captain, Sidney Crosby, and Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin began. And for good reason.

Sidney Crosby scored twice and Bryan Rust delivered the go-ahead goal midway through the third period as the Pittsburgh Penguins edged Alex Ovechkin and the Washington

If the game were normal or not an emotionally exhausting battle, it wouldn’t be worthy of the Pittsburgh Penguins (9-4-2) vs. Washington Capitals (7-6-1) rivalry.

Pittsburgh Penguins rookie goaltender Arturs Silovs is scheduled to start Thursday’s home game against the Washington Capitals. Coach Dan Muse announced Silovs’ status following an optional morning skate in Cranberry.

It’s season 21 for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals captains, but their rivalry is still fierce and strong as ever.