Alex Ovechkin appreciates standing ovation during possible final game in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The 100th career matchup between generational stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin never materialized during the Washington Capitals 6-3 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

But that didn’t stop the crowd from showing its appreciation for Ovechkin in what could be his final game in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins opted to sit Crosby and several other regulars after securing a playoff berth for the first time since the 2021-22 season and home ice advantage throughout the first round.

During a television timeout in the second period, the Penguins showed a video tribute honoring Ovechkin and his longstanding rivalry with Crosby.

“It was nice,” Ovechkin said. “It was a show of respect for all the time we spent in the rivalry … playoffs, regular season … it shows respect.”

Ovechkin received a standing ovation from the crowd in Pittsburgh, as the Capitals’ captain stood up from the bench and waved while players tapped their sticks on the ice in appreciation.

“You could feel in that moment what (Ovechkin) has meant to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ fans and this city, that even though they hate the Washington Capitals, they appreciate what has gone on over the last 21 seasons,” Capitals’ coach Spencer Carbery said. “You can tell there’s a genuine appreciation from the city.”

Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, while Crosby is the only player in league history to average a point per game for 21 straight seasons.

While the 38-year-old Crosby is signed through next year, the 40-year-old Ovechkin said he’s waiting until after the season to decide whether he’s calling it a career.

“I don’t care who’s playing, we just have to get two points,” Ovechkin said. “We’re still in it and that’s a good thing.”

Crosby and the Penguins are 56-39-4 through the first 99 head-to-head matchups against Ovechkin. It’s unclear if No. 100 will come on Sunday afternoon when the teams face each other for the final time in the regular season.

The two have combined for five Hart Trophies, four Stanley Cup championships and more than 3,400 points. The winner of their four head-to-head series went on to win the Stanley Cup each time, Crosby in 2009, ’16 and ’17, while Ovechkin followed in 2018.

“They’re two legends,” Capitals forward Tom Wilson said. “I think it’s awesome to see the Pittsburgh crowd give him that respect. Hopefully he keeps playing, but if not, it’s been a heck of a front-row seat from my perspective.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) skates during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with goaltender Logan Thompson (48) after an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Capitals' Ilya Protas (62) celebrates with Alex Ovechkin (8) after scoring his first NHL goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) sits on the bench with Tom Wilson (43) after scoring on a empty-net during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with Tom Wilson after scoring an empty-net goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

CINCINNATI (AP) — Nathaniel Lowe hit a three-run double in a four-run first inning, and the Cincinnati Reds stopped a three-game losing streak with a 7-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday.

New Angels manager Kurt Suzuki was ejected for the first time in the eighth inning when Logan O’Hoppe was called out for interference for not staying in the runner's box while heading to first base on a strike three pitch that bounced to the backstop.

Suzuki had left the dugout in the sixth to argue Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson did not properly execute a ABS challenge.

Elly De La Cruz had three hits for the Reds.

Pierce Johnson (1-1) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his first win with the Reds after starter Brandon Williamson walked a career-high six while allowing three runs in four innings.

Angels rookie right-hander George Klassen (0-1), making his second big league start, left in the third inning because of a bruised nail on his right index finger. He allowed five runs, five hits and five walks.

Los Angeles reliever Brent Suter got 11 outs with 39 pitches.

Sal Stewart's RBI single on a one-hopper off the glove of first baseman Nolan Schanuel and Lowe's double built a 4-0 lead, and Spencer Steer homered off the left-field foul pole in the second inning.

Schanuel's RBI grounder and Mike Trout's two-run double cut the deficit to 5-3 in the fourth.

Cincinnati scored on a pair of run-scoring wild pitches in the eighth by Chase Silseth, who had three wild pitches and four walks while getting one out.

Angels RHP José Soriano (3-0, 0.45) and Reds LHP Andrew Abbott (0-1, 3.18) start Sunday's series finale.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Chase Silseth throws during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán throws during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brandon Williamson throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds' Noelvi Marte reaches for Elly de la Cruz's hand to celebrate after scoring on a wild pitch by Los Angeles Angels pitcher Chase Silseth during the eighth inning of a baseball in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Emilio Pagán, right, and Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, left, embrace after winning a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)