The Washington Capitals (51-21-9) and Pittsburgh Penguins (33-36-12) are set to face off in their final regular-season matchup at PPG Paints Arena. The Capitals have already clinched the Metropolitan Division title, while the Penguins are wrapping up a disappointing season.
Game Details
- Matchup: Washington Capitals vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
- Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Broadcast: ESPN, Sportsnet
Recent Form & Team Outlook
The Capitals have been dominant all season, securing 111 points and leading the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 3-1 road win against the New York Islanders.
Meanwhile, the Penguins have struggled, sitting seventh in the division with 74 points. They lost 4-1 to the Boston Bruins in their last game and have been inconsistent throughout the season.
Head-to-Head Matchup
- The Penguins hold a 124-107-16-3 all-time record against the Capitals.
- Pittsburgh has a 67-47-7-1 home record against Washington.
- Washington leads the season series 2-1, with Thursday marking their final matchup of the year.
Key Players to Watch
- Washington Capitals:
- Alexander Ovechkin – Leads the team with 43 goals and 29 assists, continuing his legendary career.
- Dylan Strome – Scored a hat trick in Washington’s last win over the Islanders.
- Jakob Chychrun – Had two goals in the Capitals’ previous 8-3 win against Pittsburgh.
- Pittsburgh Penguins:
- Sidney Crosby – Has 32 goals and 57 assists, remaining the heart of the Penguins’ offense.
- Bryan Rust – Has six goals and six assists in his last 10 games.
- Kris Letang – Out due to a recent heart procedure, leaving a gap in Pittsburgh’s defense.
Matchup Breakdown
- Capitals’ Offense vs. Penguins’ Defense:
Washington has been explosive offensively, while Pittsburgh has struggled defensively, allowing 285 goals this season. - Penguins’ Home Advantage:
Despite their struggles, Pittsburgh has historically performed well against Washington at home. - Playoff Implications:
The Capitals are preparing for the postseason, while the Penguins are playing their final game of the season.
Washington Capitals 6.5
Pittsburgh Penguins – 112
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, April 16, 2025
