The Washington Capitals have had no shortage of enemies over the years, but one name sits at the top of the list for The Athletic staff: Mario Lemieux.
That choice came into focus after The Athletic posted on X, formerly Twitter, about the kinds of players who become despised in certain cities. The post read, “Whether it’s a rival who is despised for physical play, controversial hits, relentless agitating or competitive success, many players have found themselves loathed in certain cities.”
For Capitals fans, Lemieux fits the bill. The Pittsburgh Penguins legend tormented Washington across both the regular season and the playoffs, piling up numbers that help explain why he’s being labeled the franchise’s biggest villain.
According to StatMuse, Lemieux played 61 regular season games against the Capitals and produced 51 goals and 50 assists for 101 points, a 1.66 points-per-game average.
His work against Washington was even more damaging in the postseason. In 29 playoff games against the Capitals, Lemieux scored 19 goals and added 31 assists for 50 points, good for a 1.61 points-per-game average.
There is a case to be made for Sidney Crosby, too. His playoff success and multiple Stanley Cups, compared with Alex Ovechkin’s one, give him a strong argument in the rivalry conversation. Still, Lemieux was the one given the title of biggest villain, and that has already stirred debate.
The Penguins-Capitals rivalry has always carried that kind of weight, and the iconic 2018 call after Washington beat Pittsburgh - “the demons have been exercised” - still captures just how deep it runs. With that backdrop, it’s not hard to see why a player of Lemieux’s stature, and one who had so much success against the Caps, ended up at the center of this discussion.
In Other News...
Why The Capitals Targeted Vincent Desharnais Just Got More Interesting
Vincent Desharnais arrived in Washington on a four-year deal with a pretty clear job description: bring some bite to the blue line, steady the right side and give the Capitals another defenseman who can handle the dirty work. The fit made sense from the start. Washington has leaned on offensive defensemen, and Desharnais was brought in to balance that group with a more physical, defense-first presence while also giving the team another layer of depth.
What makes the signing more intriguing now is how useful that profile could be as the roster picture shifts around him. With Rasmus Sandin out long-term, the Capitals suddenly have even more reason to value a dependable right-shot option who can help shelter younger players and ease the load on a defense corps that needs stability. Desharnais has also been viewed as the kind of player who can mesh with a young, puck-moving defenseman like Cole Hutson, which gives this move a longer tail than a simple depth signing. [Read more 🡒]