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The Penguins’ decision to rest their star players ahead of the playoffs adds an air of uncertainty to their rivalry matchup with the Capitals.Today in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins rested several key players, including captain Sidney Crosby, for their Saturday matchup against the Washington Capitals, with head coach Dan Muse citing injuries and the need for rest as the reasons behind the lineup changes. The Penguins have already secured their playoff position as the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, allowing them to give their veterans some time off before the postseason.
Why it matters
The Penguins’ decision to rest their top players, including Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and others, highlights the team’s focus on being healthy and fresh for the playoffs, rather than chasing regular-season records or seeding. This strategy could pay dividends in the postseason, but also raises questions about the competitiveness of the Penguins-Capitals rivalry game.
The details
The Penguins announced that eight players would not be in the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Capitals, including Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Erik Karlsson, and Bryan Rust. Coach Muse stated that the players have been ‘playing through a lot’ and are ‘banged up,’ so the team is evaluating their availability on a day-to-day basis. The Penguins face the Capitals again on Sunday in Washington before closing out the regular season on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues.
The Penguins entered Saturday’s matchup against the Capitals with their playoff position already secured as the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division.The Penguins announced the lineup changes, including Crosby’s absence, just before puck drop on Saturday.The Penguins face the Capitals again on Sunday, April 13, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C.
The players
Sidney Crosby
The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins and one of the NHL’s all-time great players, who was held out of the Penguins-Capitals matchup.
Evgeni Malkin
A veteran forward and core member of the Penguins, who was also rested for the Saturday game.
Dan Muse
The head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who addressed the lineup changes and the team’s injury situation.
Alex Ovechkin
The star winger for the Washington Capitals, who was set to face off against his longtime rival Sidney Crosby in the 100th career meeting between the two players.
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What they’re saying
“Guys have been doing everything they can for this team. We have a lot of guys that have been playing through a lot. They’re banged up. Right now, they’re day to day.”
— Dan Muse, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins
“We’re going to get through (Saturday’s) game. I’ll have conversations with our medical staff and we’ll make determinations going into tomorrow.”
— Dan Muse, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Penguins
What’s next
The Penguins will face the Capitals again on Sunday, April 13, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C., as they continue to evaluate the availability of their injured players ahead of the playoffs.
The takeaway
The Penguins’ decision to rest their top players, including Crosby, Malkin, and Letang, demonstrates the team’s focus on being healthy and fresh for the playoffs, rather than chasing regular-season records or seeding. This strategy could pay dividends in the postseason, but also raises questions about the competitiveness of the Penguins-Capitals rivalry game.