Rust scores twice, reaches 30 goals for 1st time in Penguins win against Capitals 

PITTSBURGH -- Bryan Rust scored twice to reach 30 goals for the first time in 11 NHL seasons, and the Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-2 against the Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday.

“It’s really cool,” Rust said. “I’m obviously really proud of that. I can’t tell you I ever thought I’d ever score 30 goals. I thought maybe 30 over my career when I first got in the League."

Sidney Crosby and Philip Tomasino each had a goal and an assist, and Ville Koivunen and Matt Grzelcyk each had two assists for Pittsburgh (34-36-12), which will miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third straight season. Alex Nedeljkovic made 18 saves.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 897th goal, extending his League record, and Connor McMichael also scored for Washington (51-22-9), which is the top seed from the Eastern Conference. Clay Stevenson made 33 saves in his NHL debut.

The Capitals will face the Montreal Canadiens, who are the second wild card, in the Eastern Conference First Round. Game 1 of the best-of-7 series will be in Washington on Monday (7 p.m. ET; MNMT, ESPN, SN, TVAS).

“We’re just getting through the game, to be honest with you,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “Moving forward and getting ready for Montreal.”

McMichael put Washington ahead 1-0 at 4:08 of the first period with a wrist shot on a rebound off a shot from Tom Wilson.

“It was a little uncharacteristic from our group there,” McMichael said. “But you just have to put it behind us and look to be better next game. ... We didn’t exactly end the year the way that we’d want to, but I think for us, we’ve been waiting for the playoffs now for about a month. I think all the guys are ready to go.”

Rust tied it 1-1 at 4:54, scoring on a rebound after Koivunen deflected a slap shot from Grzelcyk.

He then gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead on a power play at 7:19 of the second period. Crosby sent a behind-the-back pass through the crease to Rust for a wrist shot and his 31st goal.

Dylan Strome seemed to tie it at 10:28, but Ovechkin was ruled offside after a Penguins challenge.

Crosby made it 3-1 at 11:56, dropping to one knee for a one-timer.

The Penguins captain led them with 91 points (33 goals, 58 assists), reaching 90 points in three straight seasons for the first time. He is the first player with three seasons of at least 90 points after turning 35 years old.

Ovechkin cut it to 3-2 with a one-timer on a power play at 16:56.

“[Crosby and Ovechkin] are two of the greatest players of all-time,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “How fortunate are we that we get to see it up close and have for how many years now? The fact that they play in the same division is incredible because that rivalry between Washington and Pittsburgh, and between Ovi and Sid, has been so much fun just to witness up close.”

Koivunen appeared to score his first NHL goal at 4:14 of the third period, but he used his glove to knock in the puck.

The 21-year-old rookie has seven assists in his first eight games.

“I know I can play here,” Koivunen said. “Just try to get better and be better next year.”

Danton Heinen and Tomasino then scored 15 seconds apart. Heinen made it 4-2 on a breakaway at 8:46, and Tomasino extended the lead to 5-2 at 9:01 with a wrist shot from the slot.

“I guess that just shows you what the NHL is,” Stevenson said. “I thought I showed what I’m capable of out there. It was a special night. A lot of nerves, but I thought I played pretty free out there and gave myself the best opportunity to make the saves in the net. ... I don’t think there’s anything to really hang my head about in that game.”

NOTES: Crosby is the sixth player in NHL history to have at least 90 points at the age of 37 and the first since Joe Sakic for the Colorado Avalanche in 2006-07 (100 points; 36 goals, 64 assists). ... Penguins defenseman Kris Letang did not play after having surgery this week to close a small hole in the wall of his heart. He is expected to need 4-6 weeks to recover. ... Capitals defenseman John Carlson missed his third straight game for maintenance. ... Washington used 13 forwards and five defensemen.