Rakell put Pittsburgh in the lead 1–0 on the power play just over ten minutes into the first period.
The goal was the Swedish right forward's 17th of the season.
He has thus scored points in four games in a row with three goals and three assists.
43 seconds after Rakell's goal, teammate Jason Zucker made it 2–0.
Jake Guentzel then further strengthened the advantage with 3–0 at the end of the second period.
He scored another goal in the third period.
But before that, Ottawa's Brady Tkachuk had gotten a puck into the cage behind Pittsburgh's goaltender Tristan Jarry.
Jarry stopped 46 shots on goal and set a new personal NHL career record for most saves in one game.
Jarry was back on the ice after missing seven games since he was injured in early January.
- Of course we would like to score more goals, Ottawa's Derick Brassard stated after the game and praised Jarry's play.
- It's just frustrating when you shoot so much and have chances, Brassard continued about the loss.
Ottawa goaltender Cam Talbot made 40 saves.