The Pittsburgh Penguins faced off against the Washington Capitals following a disappointing 4 Nations Face-Off. The game started strong for the Penguins, with Kris Letang scoring on a power play after a setup from Evgeni Malkin. However, defensive lapses allowed the Capitals to dominate, resulting in goals from Jakob Chychrun and Tom Wilson. P.K. Subban criticized the Penguins' roster construction, emphasizing the need for a stronger team around Sidney Crosby and stating that the current lineup is undersized and 'soft' in key areas.

Despite individual efforts from players like Malkin and Crosby, the team’s overall performance, particularly in defense, raised concerns about their competitiveness and playoff chances. The Penguins need to address their personnel to provide better support for their star players.