Minus Crosby, Penguins lose sixth in a row

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby was in the building for his team’s latest loss, wearing a jacket and tie and far from the ice. His team sure could use him in the lineup.

Washington’s Tomas Vokoun made 30 saves, including a key stop on Evgeni Malkin in the closing minutes, and Jason Chimera scored off a turnover in the first period, giving the Capitals a 1-0 victory on Wednesday night, Pittsburgh’s sixth consecutive defeat.

It was the first time this season the Penguins were shut out, but they’ve scored only a total of six goals during their current skid.

Sidelined by concussion symptoms, and more than a month removed from his most recent game, Crosby is only now ready to resume skating on his own.

“I don’t think he’s anywhere close to coming back,” Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik said. “You can’t really wait for him.”

Vokoun didn’t make things easy for the short-handed Penguins, and was at his best late against Malkin.

“I was scrambling in the crease, and then I saw him. He got the puck and he actually took a great shot,” Vokoun said. “I was fortunate enough to kind of raise my body, and it hit me in the chest. It’s a good save.”

Said Washington’s Matt Hendricks: “He made all the good saves that he had to make. When we needed him to make that great save, he was there, as well.”

Chimera gave Washington the only offense it needed at 15:25, finishing a 3-on-1 rush right in front of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Capitals defenseman Joel Ward stole the puck in his end and sent it to Jeff Halpern along the right boards. Halpern centered to Chimera, who easily scored his 14th goal, second on the Capitals to Alex Ovechkin.

“When you get secondary scoring, it really helps out,” Chimera said. “It was a great play by Halpie.”

The Capitals have won seven of eight at home.

Before Wednesday, Washington had lost two in a row, both on the road, by a combined score of 10-4.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is on its longest skid since a 10-game drought in 2006.

Crosby, who has kept a low profile and hasn’t been traveling with his teammates, joined the Penguins for this three-game trip and sat in the press box Wednesday.

He hasn’t played since Dec. 5, and Penguins coach Dan Bylsma announced before Wednesday’s game that the center is prepared to start skating.