Penguins beat rival Capitals 4-1, end 7-game losing streak
WASHINGTON (AP) — Casey DeSmith made 24 saves for his first win of the season, and the Pittsburgh Penguins took advantage of Darcy Kuemper's struggles in net at the other end to beat the Washington Capitals 4-1 Wednesday night and snap their seven-game losing streak.
Behind soft goals from Jason Zucker and Brock McGinn that squeaked through Kuemper and a shot from Jeff Petry just inside the blue line that beat him clean, the Penguins won for the first time since Oct. 22. The skid was the organization's longest since losing 10 in a row in 2006, during Sidney Crosby's rookie season.
The recipe to beating rival Washington this time included going a perfect 4 of 4 on the penalty kill. Jake Guentzel scored an empty-net goal with 1:36 left.
Marcus Johansson scored an even-strength goal in the third period for Washington. Kuemper finished with 24 saves.
Alex Ovechkin's point streak ended at six games and his goal streak at three. Missing several key players because of injury, Washington lost for the sixth time in eight games.