Martin Fehérváry logs nearly 24 minutes in Capitals win, Šport.sk reports

Martin Fehérváry logged 23 minutes and 56 seconds of ice time for the Washington Capitals in a 5–3 divisional victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, anchoring the defense through nearly 24 minutes of action on home ice, Šport.sk reported. The Slovak defenseman finished the contest with a plus-2 rating, operating as a primary stabilizing force for head coach Spencer Carbery as the club opened its home schedule with a rivalry win.

Capitals Jump Out Fast Before Pittsburgh Claws Back

Washington set an aggressive tone from the opening draw, pulling ahead just 23 seconds into the first period when Anthony Beauvillier converted a backhand past the Pittsburgh defense off a feed from Dylan Strome. Fehérváry was on the ice for the opening shift, helping establish immediate zone pressure. The Penguins struck back quickly when Bryan Rust redirected a bouncing puck past the home side’s netminder, but Tom Wilson restored the lead for the Capitals before the first intermission with a sharp wrist shot near the post.

The hosts extended their advantage during the second period. Pierre-Luc Dubois capitalized on an errant clearing attempt by Penguins goaltender Artūrs Šilovs in the 25th minute—with Fehérváry again deployed on the blue line—before Alex Tuch capitalized on an odd-man rush to push the score to 4–1. Pittsburgh answered before the second break through goals from Thomas Novak and Nicholas Robertson, shrinking the gap to a single goal and keeping the divisional matchup tight.

Ryan Leonard Seals the Win on the Power Play

Ryan Leonard capitalized on a Washington power play at the 44-minute mark, rifling a wrist shot past the goaltender to establish a 5–3 margin that held until the final horn. The conversion stabilized the Capitals after Pittsburgh’s middle-frame push.

While Fehérváry did not register a point on the scoresheet and did not record a direct shot on goal, his workload defined the defensive structure. Playing nearly 24 minutes, the 25-year-old blueliner avoided the penalty box entirely while maintaining a clean disciplinary sheet and finishing with a plus-2 rating.