History of Capitals–Penguins rivalry in Timeline

The Capitals-Penguins rivalry in the NHL is fueled by their shared division in the Eastern Conference since 2013 and a significant history of 11 playoff series matchups. Pittsburgh dominated early, winning all but two series (1994 and 2018). The close proximity between Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh intensifies the rivalry with strong visiting fan presence. The emergence of Alexander Ovechkin (Capitals) and Sidney Crosby (Penguins) as generational talents elevated the rivalry further. The mid-to-late 2010s marked its peak, with the teams securing three consecutive Stanley Cups. The Penguins defeated the Capitals, who won the President's Trophy, en route to championships in 2016 and 2017, while in 2018, the Capitals eliminated the Penguins, who were the two-time defending champions, on their path to their first Stanley Cup. Winning a Stanley Cup between Washington and Pittsburgh required defeating each other in the playoffs.

1989: Capitals and Penguins Missed Playoff Matchup

In 1989, both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals made it to the playoffs for the first time. The Capitals were defeated by the Philadelphia Flyers in the division semifinals, while the Penguins lost to the Flyers in the division finals, preventing a Capitals-Penguins playoff matchup.

1990: Capitals and Penguins Season Outcomes Diverge

In 1990, the Washington Capitals finished third in the Patrick Division, advancing to the Wales Conference finals against the Boston Bruins, where they lost 4-0. Conversely, the Pittsburgh Penguins did not make the playoffs.

1991: Penguins Defeat Capitals in Division Finals

In the 1991 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals in the division finals after a five-game series, ultimately winning the Stanley Cup against the Minnesota North Stars. The Capitals initially won game one in Pittsburgh, 4-2, but the Penguins responded by winning the next three games.

1992: Capitals and Penguins Last Divisional Rivals

In 1992, the Capitals and Penguins were divisional rivals. After the NHL realignment in 2013, the two teams were placed into the newly formed Metropolitan Division, making them divisional rivals for the first time since 1992.

1992: Penguins Win Division with Record Points

In the 1992 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Patrick Division with a franchise record of 119 points, including an NHL-record 17-game winning streak.

1993: NHL Divisional Realignment

Before the 1993-94 NHL season, the league reorganized its divisions, placing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Northeast Division and the Washington Capitals in the Atlantic Division.

1994: Capitals Beat Penguins in Playoffs

In 1994, the Capitals beat the Penguins in a playoff series for only the second time in history.

1994: Penguins Defeat Capitals in Seven Games

In 1994, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals in seven games in the first round of the playoffs, with Ron Francis scoring three goals and tallying 11 assists for the Penguins during the series.

1996: Penguins Defeat Capitals in Conference Quarterfinals

In 1996, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals in six games in the conference quarterfinals after Petr Nedved scored in the fourth overtime period of game four to tie the series.

1998: Capitals Win Second Round Series

In 1998, the Capitals won their first series victory in the second round since their series win against Ottawa. No other D.C.-based team had advanced to a league semifinal round since then, until 2018.

1998: NHL Realigns Divisions Again

In 1998, the NHL realigned its divisions once more, placing the Pittsburgh Penguins in the new Atlantic Division and the Washington Capitals in the new Southeast Division.

2000: Penguins Defeat Capitals in Contentious Series

In 2000, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals in the playoffs. The series was played with a 1-2-2-1-1 format due to the Penguins' arena unavailability and ABC-TV's request, causing Capitals fans to feel disadvantaged. The Penguins won the first three games, including a 7-0 win at the MCI Center.

2000: Capitals Win Southeast Division for 2000-01 Season

In the 2000-01 season, the Washington Capitals won a weak Southeast Division and earned the third seed in the conference. Despite starting the series with a win, they lost to the Penguins in six games, scoring only three even strength goals throughout the series. The Penguins were later defeated by the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference finals.

2001: Jagr Traded to Capitals

Following the 2001 playoff encounter, the Penguins traded forward Jaromir Jagr to the Capitals, where he signed a seven-season contract.

2001: Penguins Secure Playoff Spot

In the 2006-07 NHL season, the Pittsburgh Penguins improved faster than the Washington Capitals, securing their first playoff spot since 2001 by defeating the Capitals in their final meeting of the year. They faced a 4-1 series loss to the Ottawa Senators in the conference quarterfinals.

2001: Capitals and Penguins in Playoffs

In the 2007-08 season, both the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins made the playoffs in the same year for the first time since 2001.

2002: Capitals and Penguins Draft Picks in 2002

In 2002, the Capitals drafted Alexander Semin (13th overall), while the Penguins drafted Ryan Whitney (5th overall).

2003: Capitals Lost to Lightning in the First Round

In the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Capitals, led by Jaromir Jagr, lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

2004: Capitals and Penguins Draft Picks in 2004

In 2004, the Capitals drafted Alexander Ovechkin (1st overall) and the Penguins drafted Evgeni Malkin (2nd overall).

November 22, 2005: Crosby and Ovechkin's First Meeting

On November 22, 2005, Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin, the highly anticipated players for the Penguins and Capitals respectively, first met on the ice. Crosby scored a goal and an assist, while Ovechkin got an assist. The Penguins won the game 5-4.

2005: Capitals and Penguins Miss Playoffs.

The 2022-23 regular season was the first time since the end of the 2005-06 season that both the Capitals and Penguins missed the playoffs.

2006: Capitals and Penguins Draft Picks in 2006

In 2006, the Capitals drafted Nicklas Backstrom (4th overall), and the Penguins drafted Jordan Staal (2nd overall).

2006: Crosby Wins Art Ross Trophy

In the 2006-07 NHL season, Sidney Crosby had 36 goals and 84 assists, totaling 120 points, leading the league and winning the Art Ross Trophy. Alexander Ovechkin had a strong season as well, scoring 46 goals and 46 assists, accumulating 92 points.

2007: Capitals and Penguins in Playoffs

In the 2007-08 season, both the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins made the playoffs in the same year for the first time since 2001.

2008: Penguins Lose Stanley Cup Final

In the 2007-08 season, The Washington Capitals lost to the Philadelphia Flyers preventing a conference semifinals matchup with the Penguins who made it to the 2008 Stanley Cup Final against the Detroit Red Wings only to lose the series 4-2.

2008: Capitals and Penguins Top Scorers

In the 2008-09 season, the Capitals and Penguins rivalry reached new heights with Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin, and Sidney Crosby being the League's top three scorers. The Capitals finished as the second-best team in the Eastern Conference, while the Penguins finished as the fourth.

2009: Beginning of Capitals and Penguins competitiveness.

From 2009 to 2015, the Capitals and Penguins were very competitive teams, only combining for one playoff-less season.

2009: Capitals win Game 1 against Penguins

In 2009, the Capitals defeated the Penguins 3-2 in Game 1 of their series, taking a 1-0 series lead. The game featured goals from Crosby, Steckel, Ovechkin, Eaton, and Fleischmann.

2009: Penguins Defeat Capitals in Game 7

In 2009, the Penguins defeated the Capitals 6-2 in Game 7 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Crosby had two goals and an assist, finishing the series with 13 points, while Ovechkin finished with 14 points. The Penguins later won the Stanley Cup.

May 2010: Capitals and Penguins to play 2011 Winter Classic

In May 2010, the NHL announced that the Capitals and Penguins would play the 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

2011: Capitals defeat Penguins in 2011 Winter Classic

In 2011, the Capitals defeated the Penguins 3-1 in the Winter Classic. This game marked the beginning of Sidney Crosby's concussion issues after a hit from Dave Steckel.

2011: Penguins Almost Face Capitals in Playoffs

In 2011, the Penguins held a 3-1 series lead against the Tampa Bay Lightning. If they had won that series, they would have faced the Washington Capitals in the next round.

2013: Capitals have a Playoff-less season.

In 2013 the Capitals had a playoff-less season which contributed to a period where both the Capitals and the Penguins were very competitive, and the two teams combined for only one playoff-less season from 2009 to 2015.

2013: NHL Realignment Forms Metropolitan Division

In 2013, the NHL realigned into a two-conference, four-division setup, placing the Capitals and Penguins in the newly formed Metropolitan Division. This made them divisional rivals for the first time since 1992 and ignited the rivalry for years to come.

2013: Capitals and Penguins in the Metropolitan Division

In 2013, the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins became part of the Metropolitan Division of the Eastern Conference, intensifying their rivalry.

2015: End of Capitals and Penguins competitiveness period.

From 2009 to 2015, the Capitals and Penguins were very competitive teams, only combining for one playoff-less season.

2015: Capitals Win Presidents' Trophy

In the 2015-16 season, the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins finished as the top two teams in their division and the Eastern Conference. Washington won the Presidents' Trophy with 120 points. The Capitals beat the Flyers and the Penguins beat the Rangers in the first round, setting up the ninth playoff meeting between the two teams.

2016: Capitals and Penguins Top Eastern Conference Teams

From 2016 to 2017, the Capitals and Penguins finished as the top two teams in the Eastern Conference in back-to-back seasons. They met in the playoffs three straight times.

2016: Penguins Defeat Capitals En Route To Stanley Cup

In 2016, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals, who were the Presidents' Trophy winners, on their path to winning the Stanley Cup.

2016: Capitals Win Presidents' Trophy, Set Up Playoff Series with Penguins

In the 2016-17 season, the Capitals and Penguins finished as the top two regular-season teams in the division, Eastern Conference, and the entire NHL. The Capitals won the Presidents' Trophy with 118 points, and the Penguins finished with 111 points. This set up the tenth Washington-Pittsburgh playoff series.

2017: Capitals and Penguins Top NHL Teams

In 2017, the Capitals and Penguins finished as the top two teams in the entire NHL for the 2016-17 season. They met in the playoffs three straight times.

2017: Penguins Shut Out Capitals in Game 7

In 2017, the Penguins defeated the Capitals 2-0 in Game 7, advancing to the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive year. Fleury made 29 saves for Pittsburgh. The Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup.

2017: Penguins Defeat Capitals En Route To Stanley Cup

In 2017, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals, who were the Presidents' Trophy winners, on their path to winning the Stanley Cup.

2018: Capitals Win Stanley Cup, Teams Decline

After the Capitals' Stanley Cup victory in 2018, both the Capitals and Penguins declined and failed to reach the conference semifinals for the next four seasons.

2018: Capitals and Penguins Division Leaders

In 2018, the Capitals and Penguins were the top two teams in their division. This marked the third consecutive second-round match-up between the two teams in the playoffs.

2018: Capitals and Penguins Set for Third Consecutive Second Round Match-Up

In 2018, the Capitals clinched the Metropolitan Division title with 105 points, while the Penguins finished second in the division with 100 points. This set up the third consecutive second-round match-up between the two teams in the playoffs.

2018: Capitals Eliminate Penguins en route to Stanley Cup

In 2018, the Washington Capitals eliminated the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were the two-time defending champions, in the second round of the playoffs. The Capitals went on to win their first Stanley Cup that year.

2022: Capitals and Penguins Miss Playoffs for the First Time Since 2006

By the end of the 2022-23 regular season, nearly five years after Washington won the Stanley Cup, the Capitals and Penguins both missed the playoffs for the first time since the end of the 2005-06 season.

2023: Capitals and Penguins Trade Key Players to Hurricanes

Near the end of the 2023-24 season, both the Capitals and Penguins traded away key players, Kuznetsov and Guentzel respectively, to the Carolina Hurricanes to cement their place in the upper levels of the Metropolitan Division.