The Capitals (9-4-2) lost for the third time in four games, 2-1, after their apparent go-ahead goal in the third period was erased by a coach's challenge and replay review ruling that T.J. Oshie was offside.
Nicklas Backstrom, on a line with Oshie and Marcus Johansson, scored Washington's lone goal. Center Jay Beagle got the start between Alex Ovechkin and Andre Burakovsky, but Ovechkin was scoreless for the fourth straight game.
"I thought we played better, we created more chances," Backstrom said. "Just a little unlucky we couldn't get two points there."
Washington has managed just five goals in four games.
Back-up netminder Philipp Grubauer made 25 saves. Braden Holtby (7-3-1, 2.16 goals-against average) gets the start Wednesday night against Penguins. He is 5-7-2 with a 2.71 goals-against average in 14 games vs. Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh (10-3-2) hasn't played since Saturday's win over Toronto. Wednesday's meeting will be the second between the teams following the Penguins' 3-2 shootout win on opening night.
Penguins' coach Mike Sullivan has made some line changes as well, recently reuniting the trio of Carl Hagelin, Nick Bonino and Phil Kessel after a brief split.
"I thought they had a real strong game the other night. They generated a numerous amount of chances," Sullivan told the team's website. "Since we've put them back together the coaching staff is very pleased with the looks that they're getting and how they're playing."
Sullivan is also pleased with the play of Evgeni Malkin, who has 10 points in his last nine games (6 goals, 4 assists).
"He's one of those players in the league that has the ability to be a difference maker," Sullivan said. "He's been very good on the power play. I think he's as dangerous a player as there is in the league off the rush. He can shoot the puck as well as pass the puck."
Sidney Crosby has scored goals in seven of the nine games he's played.
Tuesday's game started a stretch that will see Washington play three of four games vs. Metropolitan Division foes.
"Obviously when you're playing within your own division, they're four-point games," Trotz told the team's website. "They're extremely important, not that the other games aren't. But you get an opportunity within your own division to have an effect on it."
Johansson leads the Capitals with seven goals and five assists for 12 points. He is followed by Ovechkin, with seven goals and four assists. Ovechkin has 27 goals and 19 assists in 45 games against the Penguins.
Crosby, meanwhile, has totaled 19 goals and 36 assists 38 games vs. Washington, while Malkin has 12 and 35 in 33 games.
Sullivan said he would wait until game day to announce if his goaltender will be Matt Murray (4-0, 1.25 GAA) or Marc-Andre Fleury (6-3-2, 3.06) as the Penguins begin a three-game road trip.
Penguins defenseman Derrick Pouliot practiced Tuesday for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury Oct. 20 against San Jose and will travel with the team.
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