Crosby Powers Penguins Past Capitals with Two Power-Play Goals in 74th Rivalry Clash

When Sidney Crosby buried his second power-play goal of the night at 14:18 of the third period, the roar from the crowd at PPG Paints Arena wasn’t just about winning — it was about history. On November 6, 2025, the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Washington Capitals 5-3 in their 74th regular-season meeting, a game that turned into a milestone night for the franchise’s enduring icon. Crosby, 37, now has nine goals in 14 games this season — tying his third-best pace ever — and with 1,704 career points, he’s just 20 away from surpassing Mario Lemieux as the Penguins’ all-time leading scorer. And he did it with the kind of poise that makes you forget he’s played 19 NHL seasons.

Power Play Precision and the Rust Factor

The game opened with a statement. At 5:32 of the first period, Crosby one-timed a pass from rookie Ben Kindel past Capitals netminder Ilya Samsonov, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, after a Capitals penalty for high-sticking, Crosby struck again — a laser from the left circle that beat Samsonov glove-side. It was Crosby’s 47th career power-play goal against Washington, the most by any player against a single opponent in NHL history.

But the real story was Bryan Rust. The 33-year-old American forward had been on fire all week — hitting the post twice in the first period alone — and then, with the game tied 3-3 at 11:07 of the third, he pounced on a rebound off a Erik Karlsson slapshot and tucked it under the crossbar. It was his 11th goal of the season and his fourth game-winner. Rust also added two assists, giving him 17 points in his last 10 games. "He’s been the quiet engine of this team," said head coach Mike Sullivan afterward. "You don’t hear his name much, but you feel his impact every night."

Malkin’s Age-Defying Surge and Silovs’ Standout Night

While Crosby drew headlines, Evgeni Malkin, 39, was quietly rewriting the record books. With three goals and 16 assists through 14 games, Malkin’s 19 points are the second-highest total ever for a player 39 or older through that many games — trailing only Gordie Howe’s 23-point start at age 40 in 1968-69. He’s now the oldest player in NHL history to record at least three goals and three assists in a single game since 1980.

And then there was Arturs Silovs, the 24-year-old Latvian netminder who made his 11th start of the season. He stopped 28 of 31 shots, but the numbers don’t tell the full story. According to Stathletes’ advanced metrics, Silovs saved 5.3 goals above expected — third-best in the NHL behind only Connor Hellebuyck and Elvis Merzlikins. On a night when the Capitals generated 21 high-danger chances, Silovs made three saves that defied physics — including a sprawling glove stop on Alex Ovechkin’s one-timer in the second period.

A Duo That Defies Time

As the final seconds ticked away, Kris Letang, 38, skated off the ice alongside Crosby — their 1,009th game together. They broke the tie with Mark Messier and Kevin Lowe for sixth-most games played by a forward-defenseman duo in NHL history. The two have now played more games together than any other pair in Penguins history. "We’ve seen everything," Letang said postgame, smiling. "Injuries, trades, losses, Stanley Cups. We still show up the same way. That’s the thing about Pittsburgh." Meanwhile, Erik Karlsson, acquired in a mid-October trade from San Jose, continued his dazzling run with a goal and two helpers — his 11 points in 10 games since October 16 tied him for second among NHL defensemen. He’s become the perfect complement to Letang, forming a top-pairing that’s outpacing every other in the Metropolitan Division in time-on-ice and scoring chance creation.

What’s Next for the Rivalry?

The win pushed the Penguins to 8-3-2 (18 points), maintaining second place in the Metropolitan Division, just one point behind the New York Rangers. The Capitals fell to 7-5-1, clinging to fourth place — and now face a brutal stretch: five games in eight nights, including two more against Pittsburgh on November 19 and 22.

Crosby’s chase of Lemieux’s 1,723 points is now the most compelling subplot in the NHL. He needs just 20 points over the next 12 games to break the record — a pace he’s comfortably on. Lemieux, watching from the broadcast booth, said on ESPN: "He’s not chasing numbers. He’s chasing legacy. And he’s doing it the way he always has — quietly, efficiently, without fanfare."

Historical Context: A Rivalry Built on Legends

This wasn’t just another November matchup. The Penguins and Capitals have met 99 times in NHL history — including five playoff series, three of which went seven games. Their rivalry peaked during the Ovechkin-Crosby era, but now it’s evolving. The new generation — Karlsson, Silovs, Kindel — are stepping into shadows cast by legends. And yet, Crosby and Malkin, two of the greatest to ever play, are still the ones pulling the strings.

The game also marked the first time since 2016 that both teams entered the matchup with winning records after 14 games. It’s a sign the Metropolitan Division is as competitive as ever — and that the Penguins, despite their aging core, are still the team to beat.