Ovechkin, Crosby Meet for 76th Time as Capitals Edge Penguins 5-3
In the first meeting since Alex Ovechkin announced this will be his final NHL season, the Capitals beat the Penguins 5-3 behind Tom Wilson's three-point night.
Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby met for the 76th regular-season time on Wednesday night — and for the first time with Ovechkin's retirement clock ticking. Two days after the 41-year-old announced the 2026-27 season would be his last, Ovechkin's Washington Capitals beat Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 at home. Neither generational star factored in the scoring — Crosby's line was on the ice for all four Capitals even-strength goals — but Tom Wilson stole the show with a goal and two assists, while Ryan Leonard scored a power-play goal and newcomer Alex Tuch also tallied. Logan Thompson made a string of big third-period saves to protect the lead. Ovechkin, introduced before the game by his sons in an emotional moment, showed Washington's future is in good hands even as its greatest era winds down. The two rivals will meet three more times this season barring a playoff clash or injury, including Washington's home finale on April 4 — each one now carrying the weight of a farewell tour.