WASHINGTON — Sidney Crosby was booed whenever he touched the puck against the Washington Capitals. A loud group of Pittsburgh Penguins supporters in a sellout crowd of 18,277 responded in kind, jeering Alex Ovechkin when the puck was on his stick.

Players and coaches from both sides can talk all they want about how Pittsburgh vs. Washington is about much more than Sid the Kid vs. Alexander the Great. The fans feel otherwise — and so far the rivalry is as lopsided as they come.

Crosby set up the go-ahead goal on a power play, Ovechkin was held without a point for the first time this season, and Pittsburgh beat Washington 2-1 Saturday night. Crosby's Penguins have won eight of nine games against Ovechkin's Capitals since they entered the league.

Part of the reason for Pittsburgh's recent success against Washington? Ovechkin has no goals or assists in three of the past four games between the teams.