Penguins vs. Capitals

Pittsburgh  – 135 vs. Washington

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Two long-time adversaries resume their rivalry Thursday in Pittsburgh when the defending Eastern Champion Penguins play host to the Washington Capitals. Anytime these two clubs play each other, OLN should be carrying it much like ESPN carries every Yankees-Red Sox matchup.

For the NFL to grow in the United States, it needs to showcase two of its brightest starts who happen to play on each team. Alex Ovechkin and Sydney Crosby resume their personal rivalry, because Many NHL pundits debate which player is better. This is much like NFL fans used to wonder if Barry Sanders or Emmitt Smith was the quintessential 1990s running back.

Ovechkin has been a bit dinged up in this young season, but has not missed a game, scoring two goals in the Capitals (4-1-0) five games. Ovechkin better be more worried about competing with a teammate then the Pens Crosby.  Alexander Semin has stormed out of the gates in the 2008-2009 Season. Semin has recorded 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists), including two goals in the 5-1 drubbing of the Vancouver Canucks this past Monday. Over in Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin and Tyler Kennedy have combined for four points as the standard bearers of the Penguins.

Second place Pittsburgh (2-1-1) has played well, but had better get on their horse if they want to flag down the high flying and division rival New York Rangers who are perfect at 5-0-0.

The Pens are getting healthier, however, as left wing Petr Sykora returned to the ice this past Tuesday in Pittsburgh 2-1 victory over Philadelphia.

The teams meet at the Igloo, A.K.A. Melon Arena Thursday at 7:30 pm Eastern time.

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