[7:39 PM] Penguins @ Capitals

Who will WIN this matchup?

Pittsburgh Penguins (10-3-2)

@ Washington Capitals (9-4-2)

 

Starting Goalies:

Matt Murray (PIT): Confirmed

Branden Holtby (WSH): Confirmed

 

• Captain Sidney Crosby looks to continue his offensive assault Wednesday as the Pittsburgh Penguins kick off a three-game, four-day road trip against the Metropolitan Division-rival Washington Capitals. Since returning from a concussion that cost him the first six games of the season, Crosby has registered five two-point performances while collecting 10 goals and three assists in nine contests.

• Derrick Pouliot is making strides toward a return to the lineup, as the defenseman participated in practice Tuesday for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury on Oct. 20. Nick Bonino also was on the ice after skipping Monday’s practice and is expected to be in the lineup against Washington.

• One of the problems with the team’s offense has been its lack of testing the opposing goaltender. After registering only 21 shots – its lowest total in 25 regular-season games dating to March – in Saturday’s 5-1 loss at Carolina, Washington improved by just one in Tuesday’s defeat. All 20 skaters who have suited up for the Capitals this season have recorded at least one point now that defenseman Taylor Chorney notched an assist against Columbus in his second game of 2016-17.

• Malkin is riding a four-game point streak and has landed on the scoresheet in eight of his last nine contests.

• Washington LW Marcus Johansson, who shares the team lead of seven goals with Ovechkin, has recorded just one in his last six games.

• Pittsburgh G Matt Murray has allowed a total of only five goals while winning each of his four starts this campaign.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Washington Capitals

Confidence: 5/10

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