Metro Mayhem: The Penguins-Capitals Rivalry Runs Deep in the East

When Do the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals Play Next?

Upcoming game information can be found below. Pittsburgh Penguins tickets and Washington Capitals tickets can be found on their respective team pages.

Are the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals Rivals?

Yes, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals are rivals in the NHL. Both teams are members of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins vs. Capitals postseason series has occurred 11 times, including three consecutive faceoffs in the Eastern Conference semifinals between 2016 and 2018.

Who Are the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Biggest Rivals?

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ biggest rivals are the Washington Capitals, the New York Rangers, the Philadelphia Flyers within the Metropolitan Division and the Boston Bruins from the Atlantic Division.

Who are the Washington Capitals’ Biggest Rivals?

The Washington Capitals’ biggest rivals are the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Carolina Hurricanes, the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers among Metropolitan Division opponents, plus the Boston Bruins from the Atlantic Division.

Game Results Between the Penguins and Capitals

Of the NHL’s 82 regular season games, fans can expect three to four matchups between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals each year. In 248 meetings, the Penguins hold a 124-101-16-7 over the Capitals.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals Series History

The Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals rivalry tipped off when the Caps joined the NHL, and the Pen’s own Norris Division, in 1974. The frequent divisional clash carried over when the Capitals and Penguins moved to the Patrick Division in 1979 and 1981, respectively, but simmered as league realignments separated the teams in 1993. However, since 2013, the Penguins and Capitals have been members of the Metropolitan Division.

Meanwhile, the rivalry truly started to drop its mitts in the early ’90s, when the Pens vs. Caps postseason pairing became routine, first in the 1991 Wales Conference semifinals, then six first round faceoffs in 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000 and 2001. Ultimately, the Penguins won six of their first seven playoff series and claimed the Stanley Cup in 1992, while the Capitals earned their first Finals appearance in 1998 without facing the Penguins.

In the mid-00s, both clubs found new weapons after taking consecutive No. 1 draft picks with left winger Alex Ovechkin for the Capitals in 2004 and centre Sidney Crosby for the Penguins in 2005. The first Ovechkin-Crosby postseason face-off delivered on high expectations with a thrilling seven-game series in the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals, which included three overtime games, Game Two hat tricks for both players, and another Penguins win leading to their third Stanley Cup victory.

Despite D.C. earning the three Presidents’ Trophies and ten of the team’s 13 regular season divisional titles between 2008 and 2020, Pittsburgh laid in wait as a constant postseason threat. The two teams met again in the 2016 and 2017 conference semifinals, where the Penguins beat the Caps in six and seven games, respectively, on their way to winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. In their third consecutive conference semifinals in 2018, the Caps overcame the Pens in a six-game series, concluding in a 2-1 overtime win that later advanced Washington to its first Stanley Cup victory. Overall, Pittsburgh has won nine of 11 Penguins vs. Capitals postseason matchups.

Elsewhere, the Penguins vs. Capitals rivalry duked it out in the 2011 NHL Winter Classic at Pittsburgh’s now-Acrisure Stadium, where the visiting Caps won 3-1.

Where Do the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins Play?

The Washington Capitals play at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Opened in 1997, the downtown Penn Quarter venue also stands as the home court for the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the Georgetown Hoyas men’s basketball team. Reaching a maximum capacity of 18,573 for hockey games, Capital One Arena has received hosting duties for the Stanley Cup Finals in 1998 and 2018, the NCAA Men’s Hockey Frozen Four in 2009 and 2027 and the inaugural Capital Hockey Classic collegiate event in 2024.

The Pittsburgh Penguins compete at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Built across from the Penguins’ former home at the Civic Arena, the downtown facility opened in 2010. Nicknamed “The Paint Can” for its paint supplier sponsor PPG Industries, PPG Paints Arena has also been referred to as the “The House that Crosby Built” for the Penguins’ three-time Stanley Cup-winning centre Sidney Crosby. Fittingly, the seating capacity reaches 18,187 as a nod to Crosby’s No. 87 sweater. Outside of the NHL, the venue has been used for the NCAA Men’s Hockey Frozen Four in 2013 and 2021.