The physicality between the Capitals and Penguins didn't end in the second period, but the scoreless tie did.
Alex Ovechkin scored a power play goal late in the period to give the Caps a 1-0 lead after 40 minutes.
On the Caps' third power play of the game, Mike Knuble brought the puck into the zone alongside the right boards and fired a tough-angle shot on Marc-Andre Fleury. The rebound popped out and up into the air. Marcus Johansson caught it, placed it down and found Ovechkin entering the zone. Ovechkin would then fire a laser of a slapshot past Fleury for his 24th goal of the season at 16:38.
Michal Neuvirth continued to be spectacular, making seven saves, but none more important than stopping Jordan Staal on a shorthanded breakaway opportunity. The Caps had a 14-7 shot advantage in the period, but trail 25-21 in total shots.