Capitals score 6 goals, shut out Penguins

PITTSBURGH -- Alex Ovechkin scored his 840th NHL goal for the Washington Capitals, who cruised to a 6-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday.

Ovechkin also had an assist to move into sole possession of 15th on the NHL points list (1,532; 840 goals, 692 assists), passing Paul Coffey.

Charlie Lindgren made a season-high 39 saves for his fourth shutout of the season for the Capitals (29-23-9), who had lost two of three. Sonny Milano had a goal and an assist, Dylan Strome had three assists, and Beck Malenstyn had two assists.

Lindgren was originally expected to back up Darcy Kuemper, who was unavailable with an illness.

“Even today with 'Kuemps' being sick, 'Chucky' gets called into action, just another example of these guys pulling together in a difficult situation,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “Losing some players (Anthony Mantha in a trade to Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday), goaltender steps up. Incredible performance from our entire group."

Tristan Jarry allowed four goals on 22 shots before being pulled in the second period for the Penguins (28-25-8), who have lost four of five. Alex Nedeljkovic made five saves in relief.

“Obviously, we didn't do a good enough job of handling a lot of that noise that's going on around the team,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “These guys are human, and as much as we preach, 'Stay on task here and focus,’ obviously I have to believe that some of that had an impact on what went on the ice tonight. That's not an excuse. We've still got to do our jobs."

The Penguins have been outscored 16-4 in their past three losses.

“We've had it handed to us now three times in a short period of time, so it's a tough, tough feeling here,” Pittsburgh defenseman Marcus Pettersson said.

Tom Wilson put Washington ahead 1-0 at 1:51 of the first period, scoring short-handed after Connor McMichael was called for high-sticking Sidney Crosby on the opening face-off. Wilson shot off the right post on a 2-on-1 before batting in the rebound for his 14th goal this season.

Before the game, Wilson was informed that his grandfather, Jake Avery, had died at the age of 95.

"This one actually meant a lot to me, personally, because my grandfather passed this afternoon,” Wilson said. “I know this is the building I got my start in at the (2012 NHL) Draft. I know he was up there, and I know he was pulling for the Caps. This one is for my family and for Grampy. That's life. He had an amazing life.

“But I'm pretty happy to get this one for him. And our whole family was back in Toronto watching together, so I know it probably brought a smile to their face.”

Ovechkin made it 2-0 on a power play 30 seconds into the second period, scoring on a loose puck in the crease after John Carlson's slap shot hit Strome in front.

Nick Jensen scored his first goal of the season to extend the lead to 3-0 at 3:16, putting in the rebound of Malenstyn's wrist shot from the top of the right circle at the left post.

Hendrix Lapierre pushed it to 4-0 at 8:50. He picked up a loose puck in front, spun around and beat Jarry with a wrist shot from below the right circle. Jarry was pulled after allowing the goal.

Ivan Miroshnichenko made it 5-0 with his first NHL goal at 16:21. He received a backhand pass from Strome behind the net and tucked a shot around Nedeljkovic’s left pad.

Miroshnichenko, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2022, was playing in his fifth NHL game.

Milano scored on a one-timer from below the right circle to make it 6-0 at 2:13 of the third period.

“As a goalie, it was fun to watch our team play tonight,” Lindgren said. “Just a great team effort tonight, which again, love to see. I wasn't supposed to play tonight, obviously. For guys to give me that kind of effort tonight, I couldn't ask for anything more."

The Penguins are seventh in the Metropolitan Division, 10 points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third. The are also eight points behind the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning, who are tied for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

Crosby said he still hopes to reach the playoffs, though.

"I mean, that would be great,” Pittsburgh's captain said. “Obviously, tonight is not going to be the kind of game that is going to do that, but yeah, I hope so."

NOTES: Before the game, the Capitals traded defenseman Joel Edmundson to the Toronto Maple Leafs for a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft and fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. ... Pittsburgh forward Rickard Rakell had five shots on goal in his 700th NHL game.