Penguins at Capitals
THE STORY: Games between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals always seem to have multiple storylines, and Thursday's tilt in the U.S. capital is no exception. The Penguins carry the best record in the Eastern Conference into the marquee showdown, and have been rolling along since getting Sidney Crosby back from a 10 1/2-month absence. The former league MVP has 10 points in five games and has looked as dangerous as ever on the offensive end. Pittsburgh is 3-1-1 with Crosby in the lineup, though it fell 4-3 to the New York Rangers in its last game Tuesday night. The Capitals enter their second game with new coach Dale Hunter behind the bench. Hunter, who replaced Bruce Boudreau earlier in the week, dropped a 2-1 decision to the St. Louis Blues in his NHL debut. This is the second meeting of the season between the Penguins and Capitals, with Washington prevailing 3-2 in overtime in their first encounter on Oct. 13.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHL Network, Root, Comcast SportsNet Maryland
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (14-7-4): It was a collision with Washington's David Steckel at last season's Winter Classic on New Year's Day that first rocked Crosby. One game later, he was on the shelf for the rest of the season and the first month-and-a-half of the 2011-12 campaign. He has reported no problems since returning to action, which could spell trouble for a Capitals team that ranks in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference in goals allowed so far.
ABOUT THE CAPITALS (12-10-1): There was some concern about forward Alex Ovechkin's ice time in his first game under Hunter. Ovechkin played 16 minutes, 46 seconds - his second-lowest total of the season. A closer look, however, revealed that the struggling superstar played 16:26 of even-strength time - his second-highest total in that situation all season. He saw only 20 seconds of power-play action, with Washington getting just one man advantage all night.
OVERTIME:
1. Pittsburgh brings out the best in Ovechkin, who has 33 points (19 goals, 14 assists) in 25 career games against the rival Penguins.
2. Crosby has had his own good fortune against Washington, scoring 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 21 career encounters.
3. Washington has won four straight meetings and eight of the last nine.