The narrative is even worse than the record, IMO.
'92 is really when the Caps' nightmares began. Instead of avenging their loss the previous year, they give up a 3-1 lead and watched the Pens hoist the cup again.
The Caps did win a gutty first round series in '94 over a talented but underwhelming Pens team. And then were summarily dispatched by the Rangers in the next round.
'95 and '96, more nightmares for the Caps. In the former, Jaromir Jagr (with Luc Robitaille) puts the Mario-less Pens on his back to erase another 3-1 series deficit. Next year, with Lemieux (and Petr Nedved in 4OT), yet another 2-game lead was surmounted.
In 2000, after a scheduling quirk which placed games 2-3 in Pittsburgh, coach Ron Wilson said his Caps would beat the Pens anywhere they play. Of course, they lost game 1 at home 7-0 and the series 4-1.
Next season, Lemieux returned from retirement and the Pens won in 6, courtesy of a Gonchar giveaway to Straka in OT. Gonchar, like another maligned defenseman Larry Murphy, would find more success in the other side.
In the meantime, the Caps turned the tables and stole Jagr from the Pens. A new era would emerge. But Jagr brought no magic with him. Playoff embarrassments ensue, eventually in their dumping Jagr for Anson Carter. This helped them win the LeBron of hockey, Alex Ovechkin, over the last-place Pens. A new era would again emerge. But luckily the Pens would draft Malkin #2, and losing that lottery gave the Pens an extra ball in the Crosby sweepstakes. The Pens win Crosby the following year.
2009, the first meeting in this new era. Two game lead for the Caps, 6-2 loss at home in game 7. Another Cup for the Pens.
And the last two years, which I need not recount, another game 7 loss at home for the Caps. Two more Cups for Pittsburgh.