PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins have stayed afloat by showing a remarkable ability to rally late. Forced to protect a rare third-period lead, they didn’t let the opportunity go to waste.

Tristan Jarry made a series of big stops late and a pair of empty-net goals by Zach Aston-Reese and Sidney Crosby helped the Penguins pull away for a 6-3 victory over the somewhat rusty Washington Capitals on Sunday.

Pittsburgh entered the game having been either tied or trailing going into the third period in each of their first 12 contests. Nursing a one-goal advantage this time around, the Penguins held their ground to stay unbeaten at PPG Paints Arena (5-0), with three of those wins coming against the rival Capitals.

“There was a lot to like,” Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan said. “We competed hard.”

Bryan Rust scored twice — including a second-period power-play goal that ended an 0-for-20 stretch with the man advantage.