Orlov, Samsonov help Capitals hand Penguins fourth loss in row

PITTSBURGH-- Dmitry Orlov scored his second of the game with 43 seconds remaining in overtime to give the Washington Capitals a 4-3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

The defenseman carried the puck around the outer edge of the right face-off circle and Penguins forward Sidney Crosby to the slot for a wrist shot.
Ilya Samsonov made 43 saves after starting goalie Vitek Vanecek sustained an upper-body injury in the first period for the Capitals (25-12-9), who have won two straight after losing three of four.
"There were lots of good things," Washington coach Peter Laviolette said. "Just the fight back in the game. We were fighting back the whole night. There were a lot of things against us, a lot of adversity. I give the guys a lot of credit for just staying with it."
Bryan Rust scored twice, Jake Guentzel had three assists, and Crosby had two assists for the Penguins (27-11-8), who have lost four in a row (0-1-3) since a six-game winning streak. Tristan Jarry made 28 saves.
"I thought it was the best game that we played in a while," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "I thought our energy level was tremendous. I thought we were playing on our toes. … For me, it had all of the ingredients, I think, that make the identity of the Penguins what it is."

Crosby had a breakaway 55 seconds into overtime, but Samsonov made a pad save.
Nic Dowd gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead with a shorthanded goal at 5:50 of the first period. After intercepting a pass from Penguins defenseman Kris Letang along the blue line, Dowd shot five-hole on a breakaway.
"Honestly, ever since even before I came here, I used to watch these guys play each other," Dowd said. "It kind of just seems like every time we play each other, something weird happens. It didn't surprise me at all that we went back and forth like that. Some guys scored some big goals at big times. And our goaltending was great."
Evgeni Malkin tied it 1-1 on a one-timer during the power play at 6:26, ending Pittsburgh's streak of five games without a first-period goal.
The center has scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists) on a nine-game point streak and at least one point in 10 of 12 games since returning Jan. 11 from offseason knee surgery.
"I try to do my best," Malkin said. "We had a tough schedule the last week. We played so [many] games. But guys play good, unbelievable. Play hard. Try everything. But I know I can play better, and I will."
Vanecek, who was skated into by Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen, was replaced by Samsonov at 6:43 of the first period. Vanecek allowed one goal on two shots.
Rust gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead at 11:26 with a power-play goal on a backhand.
Orlov tied it 2-2 at 16:13 with a power-play goal on a wrist shot off a rebound.
Rust put Pittsburgh up 3-2 at 4:44 of the second period by tapping in the puck on a power play after Crosby chipped a shot off the post. Rust also scored two goals in a 4-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.
Dowd appeared to tie it by tipping a shot at 7:05. It was overturned after a Penguins challenge, which ruled Dowd interfered with Jarry.

Daniel Sprong tied it 3-3 with 42 seconds remaining. He drove to the net past Pittsburgh defenseman Chad Ruhwedel for a wrist shot.
The Capitals were outshot 23-7 in the period.
"First half of the game, I think they were a little better," Orlov said. "Then we kind of found a way and I think [Samsonov] was good too. He jumped in. It's not easy. He made great saves to keep us in the game. They outshoot us, but in the second half, it was better. Much better."
NOTES: Washington has won its past three games that have ended in overtime after losing its first seven. ... The Penguins used the same three defense pairs for a 33rd straight game. Ruhwedel played after Sullivan said the defenseman was in NHL COVID-19 protocol following the morning skate; Brian Dumoulin was on his usual pair with Letang after being a game-time decision with an undisclosed injury. ... Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen had five hits in 17:14 of ice time after missing four games with an upper-body injury. ... Washington defenseman John Carlson had an assist for his 556th point for the Capitals (124 goals, 432 assists), tying forward Dale Hunter (181 goals, 375 assists) for sixth in their history. ... Ovechkin (No. 1 pick in 2004 NHL Draft) and Crosby (No. 1 in 2005 NHL Draft) played against each other for the 61st time in the regular season (Crosby is 36-22-3). That tied Denis Potvin (No. 1 in 1973 NHL Draft) and Mel Bridgman (No. 1 in 1975 NHL Draft) for the most games between two No. 1 NHL Draft picks.