The Pittsburgh Penguins are poised for a transformative offseason, with only legacy players Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang off the trading block. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun indicated on TSN's 'OverDrive' that the team is exploring trades for the rest of the roster, especially Bryan Rust, who had a career-high season with 65 points. New GM Kyle Dubas is set to leverage this offseason to reshape the team after an underwhelming performance last season, particularly following the recent trade of Jake Guentzel to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Coach Dan Muse emphasized the importance of veteran leadership and plans to enlist the experience of the team's established players. With Rust's full no-move clause ending soon, his potential departure could pave the way for new acquisitions, further shifting the team's dynamics as they look to regain competitiveness in the league.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to make a splash in the trade market rather than during free agency this upcoming July. General Manager Kyle Dubas has indicated that the team is targeting trades as they look to improve their roster, focusing on young players who can fit into their long-term strategies. Key veterans such as Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell are likely to attract interest from other teams, potentially enabling Pittsburgh to secure younger talent in return.

Meanwhile, the New Jersey Devils are also contemplating roster changes, particularly in terms of depth scoring. GM Tom Fitzgerald has acknowledged that the current mix is inadequate, and they are eyeing players from the Colorado Avalanche, including Ross Colton and Charlie Coyle, to enhance their offensive capabilities. This strategic shift reflects both teams' desire to quickly rebound into playoff contention.

In the final regular-season game, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin demonstrated why they are considered two of the game's greatest as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2. Ovechkin capped off a historic season with his 897th career goal, while Crosby finished his 20th season with a goal and an assist, reaching the 90-point mark for the ninth time. This matchup had little at stake, with the Capitals already securing the top seed in the playoffs and the Penguins missing out.

Despite the Penguins' rebuilding phase, Bryan Rust shined with two goals, including a highlight-reel backhand from Crosby. As the Capitals gear up for their playoff run against the Montreal Canadiens, they will aim for their second Stanley Cup after a painful exit earlier in their postseason history. Ovechkin's 44 goals this season not only secured him the title of goal king but also solidified his place in NHL history.

The Washington Capitals closed their regular season with a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, finishing with a commendable record of 51-22-9 and 111 points. Notably, goaltender Clay Stevenson made his NHL debut with 31 saves amidst a challenging matchup. Connor McMichael netted the first goal, but the Penguins quickly countered with Bryan Rust equalizing shortly after. Ovechkin, celebrated for becoming the NHL's all-time goals leader, managed to score on a power play. Despite all efforts, the Capitals fell behind as Pittsburgh capitalized with a series of goals, leading to a final score of 5-2. The Capitals now turn their focus to the playoffs, where they will face the Montreal Canadiens in the opening round.

The New Jersey Devils kicked off their final home game of the regular season with a promising start, netting two quick goals against the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, the momentum quickly shifted as the Penguins scored four unanswered goals, including a game-winner from Sidney Crosby late in the third. Despite clinching a playoff spot, the Devils struggled to maintain their early lead, ultimately falling 4-2. Head coach Sheldon Keefe emphasized the importance of honing their game ahead of the upcoming playoffs, focusing on details and healthy play.

Erik Haula opened the scoring just 15 seconds into the match, while Ondrej Palat added another before the Devils faltered. The Penguins capitalized on a fortunate bounce and power-play opportunities, marking a stark contrast to New Jersey's nine consecutive penalty kills previously. While the loss stings, the Devils must refocus as they look forward to their playoff series against the Carolina Hurricanes.