Live updates: Washington Capitals vs Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena

Fresh off a thrilling 1-0 overtime victory against the Ottawa Senators, the Washington Capitals are back home in DC to take on their biggest rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The game marks the 71st time Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby have played each other over the last 20 seasons. The Penguins have the edge in those games going 41-25-4. Both players remain very productive and are averaging over a point per game this season despite nearing 40 years in age. The 39-year-old Alex Ovechkin has 33 points (21g, 12a) in 29 games played this season, while Crosby has 48 points (12g, 36a) in 47 games.

Logan Thompson will start for the Capitals in net while Joel Blomqvist will tend the twine for Pittsburgh. Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will serve as backup after scoring a goalie goal last night against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Capitals-Penguins game is airing on Monumental Sports Network. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin have the call. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm. This will be Craig Laughlin’s final game in the booth before he has a heart procedure. #LockerStrong.

Lines

Washington Capitals

Pittsburgh Penguins

Tunnel shenanigans

1st Period

Puck is dropped.

Tom Wilson throws a big, early hit on Kris Letang. Andrew Mangiapane rings the post behind Joel Blomqvist moments later.

The Penguins needed 6:48 of the first period to record their first shot on goal. At the first TV timeout, Washington was up 7-1 in shots.

🚨 1-0 Washington Capitals. WSH Goal: Jakob Chychrun (13). Assists: A. Protas (19). Time: 07:42.

Chychrun pumps a hard shot from the point that clicks off Anthony Beauvillier and past Blomqvist’s blocker.

Brandon Duhaime throws a big hit on Michael Bunting. Bunting goes down, grabbing his face to try and draw a call, but gets no love from the officials.

Duhaime takes the first penalty of the game 16:57 into the first period, a cross-checking minor on Bunting.

At intermission: The Capitals will go into the second period up 1-0. Washington leads in shots 9 to 8. The Capitals also had the better of the five-on-five play, out-attempting Pittsburgh 18-15.

2nd Period

Puck is dropped.

Comment below. Refresh for live updates during the game. The thread will be closed shortly after the game is completed.