Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin lead method as Penguins beat Capitals for first win of season

WASHINGTON — Sidney Crosby scored twice on the ability play, Evgeni Malkin had a objective and three assists and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the rival Washington Capitals 4-0 Friday evening for his or her first win of the season.

Crosby’s first objective got here whereas he was falling in entrance of the web, and his second was a one-timer off a move from Malkin, who opened the scoring with a shot previous Charlie Lindgren. Offseason acquisition Erik Karlsson made the play to maintain the puck in on the blue line to arrange Malkin’s objective.

At the opposite finish of the ice later within the second interval, Tristan Jarry stopped Alex Ovechkin on a breakaway, one among his 19 saves for the shutout. Malkin additionally assisted on Reilly Smith’s objective within the third that made it 4-0 and gave him a four-point evening.

The play of their longtime franchise cornerstones, latest addition and No. 1 goaltender helped the Penguins bounce again from a season-opening 4-2 loss to Chicago earlier within the week.

They additionally spoiled the debut of recent Capitals coach Spencer Carbery, behind the bench for Washington‘s first game of the season. Lindgren, starting because Darcy Kuemper’s spouse gave start to the couple’s first baby, was sharp all through and wasn’t guilty for the 4 objectives he allowed on 35 pictures.

It’s the primary time the Capitals have been shut out in 49 season openers.

NOTES: Clay Stevenson backed up Lindgren for Washington in Kuemper’s absence. Aliaksei Protas was despatched to Hershey of the American Hockey League to clear the wage cap house for Stevenson, paving the best way for 5-foot-7 coaching camp standout Matthew Phillips to play his first recreation in a Capitals uniform. … Former Capitals heart Lars Eller bought a video tribute and standing ovation in his first recreation again as a customer since being traded to Colorado and signing with Pittsburgh on July 1. Eller performed six-plus seasons with Washington and scored the Stanley Cup-clinching objective in 2018.

UP NEXT

Penguins: Host the Calgary Flames on Saturday evening.

Capitals: Host the Flames on Monday evening.