Malkin tore his ACL, MCL on Friday, Crosby still recovering from concussion
The Capitals-Penguins rivalry takes on a new tint Sunday. One year after a thrilling Super Bowl Sunday game at Verizon Center and five weeks after the Winter Classic, the two teams meet again — but this time without the usual star power.
Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby was already back at home in Nova Scotia waiting for his post-concussion symptoms to subside. And on Saturday the Penguins received the devastating news that Evgeni Malkin, their other star center, suffered a torn MCL and ACL in his right knee after taking a hit in a win over Buffalo on Friday. He is likely out for the rest of the season.
The Caps (28-15-10, 66 points) themselves again will be without forward Alexander Semin, who is still fighting a groin injury, and Eric Fehr, who scored two goals against the Penguins during the Winter Classic. Pittsburgh has plenty of motivation given the Winter Classic loss, but the Caps plan to match it.
“Can you imagine how fired up we’re going to be?” said Washington forward Alex Ovechkin, who had a season-high four points during a win over Southeast Division rival Tampa Bay on Friday night. “It’s an emotional game. Huge game for fans and for league. It’s going to be cool.”
| Up next |
| Penguins at Capitals |
| When » Sunday, 12:30 p.m. |
| Where » Verizon Center |
| TV/Radio » NBC/1500 AM |
| Caps notes |
| » Washington has dominated this series during the regular season recently with an 8-0-2 record. Pittsburgh’s last regulation win over the Caps was March 9, 2008. |
| » Forward Alexander Semin (groin) wore a yellow noncontact jersey during Saturday morning’s practice and is likely out again for Sunday’s game. But coach Bruce Boudreau said Semin would be ready to play this week. |
| » Meanwhile, defenseman Tom Poti (lower-body injury) is expected to begin practicing with the team this week. But Boudreau said he won’t play before a long road trip begins Feb. 14. |
A key subplot is Crosby’s absence since a collision with Caps forward David Steckel during the Winter Classic started his concussion symptoms. After Crosby began missing games the following week, several Penguins players were publicly critical of Steckel, who they believe intentionally hit Crosby in the head. That could lead to some fireworks during the 12:30 p.m. game at Verizon Center.
“They’re a physical team every night, so they’re going to come out hitting and banging,” Washington forward Matt Hendricks said.
The Penguins have played with their top three centers – Crosby, Malkin and Jordan Staal – in the lineup together only twice this entire season. One of those games was actually the Winter Classic. Malkin had battled previous knee issues, and Staal missed the first three months with a foot injury that carried over from last season and then a broken hand. Yet Pittsburgh (34-15-4, 72 points) still has the second-most points in the Eastern Conference.
“They’re playing really well of late, and they’ve really responded to Sid and Malkin being out,” Caps forward Mike Knuble said. “Give them a lot of credit for how they’ve played as a group.”
