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Game preview
History is upon us.
For the first time since announcing his pending retirement, Alex Ovechkin will play in a game, and it’s one that will go down in history. Tonight marks Ovechkin’s final home opener at Capital One Arena, and he’ll take on a familiar foe: longtime rival and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.
Tonight will mark the 76th regular-season matchup between the two GOATs (101st overall), with Ovechkin holding the edge in goals (38 to 35) while Crosby leads in points (97 to 71).
Alex Ovechkin vs. Sidney Crosby: Regular-season head-to-head stats
| Player | GP | G | A | P | P/GP | Team Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Ovechkin | 75 | 38 | 33 | 71 | 0.95 | 32-33-10 |
| Sidney Crosby | 75 | 35 | 62 | 97 | 1.29 | 43-28-4 |
“I’m sure it’s something he’d be asked about a lot, so it’s nice for him to just be able to get that out there and enjoy playing and focus on hockey,” Crosby said of Ovechkin’s decision to retire after this season. “We’ve definitely had some great battles over the years. Obviously, when you get to our age, that’s something you have to make decisions on. For him, as long as he’s happy and enjoying it, that’s the biggest thing.”
Crosby will center the Penguins’ first line tonight with Hendrix Lapierre on his wing, marking the first game the former Capitals forward gets to skate with the future Hockey Hall of Famer.
“It’s a massive opportunity,” Lapierre said after Pittsburgh’s practice on Tuesday. “If that’s what it is, I’m going to obviously try to make the most of it. I know I’m ready. It’s just a privilege. I’ll work as hard as I can, make sure we have a good game, and talk a lot.”
The only change on the Capitals’ end will see Anthony Beauvillier skate with Ovechkin and Dylan Strome up top, while Ryan Leonard will get more defensive responsibilities on the fourth line with Justin Souridf and Boone Jenner.
Defenseman Matt Roy will not play due to a lower-body injury. Logan Thompson will start in goal.
Puck drop for tonight’s game is 7:30 pm. Follow along below for live updates, highlights, analysis, and all of our assorted observations. The game is a national boi and will be airing on TNT. How to watch.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Pittsburgh Penguins
Goaltending matchup
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped.
Ovechkin-Strome-Beauvillier and Fehervary-Desharnais get the start.
Ovechkin and Crosby’s lines on the ice. Strome springs Beauvi on a breakaway… the Caps score! Capital One Arena is absolutely buzzing.
1-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Anthony Beauvillier (1). Assists: D. Strome (3). Time: 0:23
Oh no. The Penguins answer 56 seconds later.
1-1 tie
Goal: Bryan Rust (1). Assists: B. Kindel (2), S. Girard (3). Time: 1:19
Capitals will get a 43-second two-man advantage after the Penguins flip a clearing attempt over the glass.
Power play
Nick Robertson delay of game penalty at 6:47
Eleven minutes into the game, the Capitals are outshooting the Penguins 6-2.
Pierre-Luc Dubois sends a perfect blind feed from the end boards to Wilson wide open in the slot. That’s Tom’s first of the season.
2-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Tom Wilson (1). Assists: P. Dubois (3). Time: 11:51
Penalty kill
Ryan Leonard roughing penalty on Kaedan Korczak at 13:45
At intermission: The Capitals lead 2-1 and are dominating in shots, 14-4. 5v5 shot attempts are 24-10 WSH. 5v5 xG: 1.41 – 0.38 WSH (78.8%).
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Silovs does some roaming. Tom ends up with the puck and returns the favor to PLD. This game is teetering on a laugher.
3-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Pierre-Luc Dubois (1). Assists: T. Wilson (2). Time: 4:42
Wilson to Tuch on a two-on-none. SCOARRRR. 4-1 Caps. Washington’s future captain has a 3-point night.
4-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Alex Tuch (3). Assists: T. Wilson (3). Time: 13:14
Odd-man break leads to Malkin hitting the post. Novak, driving the center lane, crashes the net and pots the rebound past Thompson.
4-2 Washington Capitals
Goal: Tommy Novak (3). Time: 14:05
Geno is starting to deal out there.
Incredible tip in the slot by Nick Robertson, who took a huge cross-check as he deflected the puck past LT.
4-3 Washington Capitals
Goal: Nick Robertson (3). Assists: K. Korczak (4). Time: 18:01
Penalty kill
Jakob Chychrun holding penalty on Nick Robertson at 18:53
At intermission: Caps started playing a little too flippant with the puck and they paid for it. They lead the Penguins 4-2 at second intermission. Shots on goal are 19-17.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Power play
Trevor van Riemsdyk hooking penalty on Anthony Beauvillier at 1:58
5-3 Washington Capitals
Goal: Ryan Leonard (2). Assists: J. Kyrou (1), C. Hutson (1). Time: 3:55
Ryan Leonard collects the puck after a power-play rewind and wires a bullet wrist shot past Arturs Silovs.
Power play
Blake Lizotte tripping penalty on Alex Ovechkin at 6:56
Logan Thompson makes two breakaway saves in a row as the Penguins pounce on shorthanded chances. The crowd is chanting “LT” over and over again.
Pierre-Luc Dubois plants Declan Carlile into the boards, and the Penguins try to come after him but are stopped by Tom Wilson.
Penalty kill
Pierre-Luc Dubois boarding penalty on Declan Carlile at 10:38
The Penguins have pulled Silovs for an extra attacker.
Pittsburgh has no luck as Boone Jenner and Alex Tuch make key shot blocks.
Capitals win 5-3! The Penguins’ late push gives them a 30-27 shot lead in a losing effort.
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