Penguins vs. Capitals Rivalry

By Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer Updated: 29 January 2024

Amelia Walker Senior Content Writer

Amelia Walker is a Senior Content Writer at Betting.US. She has a law degree and deep knowledge of the gambling laws in the United States. Her mission is to keep players informed about responsible gambling, while her passion for sports helps her create useful guides. Amelia has over a decade of experience in betting, which has positioned her as a trusted voice among our readers.

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Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals – A Furious NHL Rivalry

• History & Previous Meetings
• Pittsburgh Penguins Memorable Moments
• Pittsburgh Penguins Form and Season
• Washington Capitals Memorable Moments
• Washington Capitals Form and Season

Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals hold one of the most intense and storied rivalries in the National Hockey League (NHL). The origin of the rivalry traces back to the 1980s when Pittsburgh and Washington developed animosity against each other.

Pittsburgh and Washington are geographically located close to each other in the Eastern United States, which has intensified the rivalry. The fan bases of both teams are passionate, and their fervent support has led to some of the most electric atmospheres in the NHL.

Over the years, the rivalry has been characterized by fierce competition, presence of superstar players, and strong fan bases. These factors have made their matchups highly anticipated and remain a significant part of NHL history.

History & Previous Meetings

The Penguins-Capitals faced off for the first time in November 1974. Initially, their rivalry was not considered one of the top rivalries, and the teams never made it to the playoffs in the same season until 1989.

Since then, the teams have met in 11 playoff series, the second-most among NHL expansion teams. The Penguins have won every playoff series except the 1994 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals and 2018 Eastern Conference second round.

The rivalry scaled new heights when the two teams won three consecutive Stanley Cups between 2016 and 2018.

Pittsburgh Penguins Memorable Moments

Pittsburgh Penguins have registered several memorable wins in their long-standing rivalry against their nemesis. It includes the 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 2, where the Penguins defeated the Capitals 3-2 in a thrilling overtime game. The enthralling game featured a memorable duel between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, with Crosby netting the winning goal.

In 2016 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 6, the Penguins eliminated the Capitals with a 4-3 overtime victory. Nick Bonino scored the series-clinching victory, eventually leading the Penguins to win the Stanley Cup that season.

The Penguins displayed dominance in the 2017 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7 to clinch a 2-0 victory. Marc-Andre Fleury made vital saves to earn a shutout and guide the Penguins to the next round.

In the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round, the Penguins defeated the Capitals in six games in the second round of the playoffs. They won the series with a 2-1 victory in Game 6, and the Penguins went on to win their third consecutive Stanley Cup.

Pittsburgh Penguins Form and Season

Pittsburgh Penguins are featuring in their 57th season in NHL 2023-24. In June, Kyle Dubas replaced Brian Burke as the president of hockey operations and general manager of the Penguins.

The Penguins are attempting to make it to the playoffs for the 17th time in 18 seasons and are eyeing their first Stanley Cup since 2017.  However, the Penguins are seated at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division with a 5-6-0 record. This is the reason why the odds for the team are such at online betting sites in Pennsylvania.

Washington Capitals Memorable Moments

The Washington Capitals have registered their fair share of memorable wins against their arch-rivals. One such moment emerged in the 2018 Eastern Conference Second Round Game 6, where the Capitals secured a historic 2-1 victory over the Penguins in overtime to win the series. The victory was significant for the Capitals as it propelled them to the Eastern Conference Final, and they went on to win their maiden Stanley Cup that year.

In the 2009 Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7, the Capitals overpowered the Penguins to a 6-2 victory. The victory was significant for the Capitals as they advanced to the Eastern Conference Final.

The Penguins and Capitals faced off in the 2011 Winter Classic, an outdoor game at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The Capitals won the game 3-1, with Mike Knuble’s goal in the closing minute as one of the memorable moments of betting on the NHL

In a regular season game in 2020, the Capitals defeated the Penguins 5-2. It was memorable as Alex Ovechkin netted his 700th career goal to reach a significant milestone in his career.

In another regular season game in 2022, the Capitals secured a 4-3 victory over the Penguins, courtesy of goals from T.J. Oshie and Tom Wilson. The game was a part of the ongoing rivalry between the two franchises in search of supremacy in the Metropolitan Division.

Washington Capitals Form and Season

Washington Capitals are featuring in their 50th season in the ongoing NHL 2023-24.

The Capitals will attempt to return to the playoffs after missing out on the berth for the first time since the 2013-14 season, ending their eight-season playoff streak. They will also attempt to win their second Stanley Cup and first since 2018.

The Capitals hold a 5-4-2 record in the season and are placed in the fifth spot of the Metropolitan Division.