Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) looks on after he faced off with Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

WASHINGTON — Logan Thompson stopped 24 shots, and the Washington Capitals kept their slim playoff hopes alive by beating the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-0 Sunday in perhaps the final home game of Alex Ovechkin’s brilliant career.

To reach the postseason, the Capitals must defeat Columbus in the season finale Tuesday night and hope Philadelphia fails to win either of its last two games.

The 40-year-old Ovechkin intends to wait until the offseason to decide whether to retire or return for a 22nd season. The all-time NHL leader in goals with 929, Ovechkin has played in every game this season and leads the Capitals in goals (32) and points (63).

The spirited, sellout crowd saluted Ovechkin during the game with chants of “One more year!” and “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!”

Ovechkin helped seal the victory by picking up an assist on an empty-net goal by Connor McMichael, who scored earlier in the third period.

Pittsburgh last week clinched a postseason berth and home-ice advantage in the opening round. But the rivalry between these teams runs deep, and the Penguins tried hard to throw a wet blanket on the Capitals’ playoff hopes and Ovechkin’s big day.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was back on the ice after he and several teammates received a day off Saturday when Washington won in Pittsburgh 6-3. This was the 100th — and perhaps final — matchup between Ovechkin and Crosby, two of the game’s biggest names.

To mark the occasion, the two stars lined up at center ice for the opening faceoff. It was only the 175th career faceoff for Ovechkin, counting playoffs, compared to No. 32,131 for Crosby.

The game was scoreless until Trevor van Riemsdyk jammed the puck under Pittsburgh goalie Stuart Skinner’s right leg at 12:22 of the second period.

That was enough offense for Thompson, who notched his fourth shutout.

Saturday’s game

The 100th career matchup between Crosby and Ovechkin never materialized during the Capitals’ 6-3 victory against the 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.”

Crosby and Ovechkin have combined for five Hart Trophies, four Stanley Cup championships and more than 3,400 points.