Caps (28-15-10, 66 points) vs. Penguins (34-15-4, 72 points)
What » Game #54
Where » Verizon Center
When » 12:30 p.m.
TV » NBC HD
Radio » WFED-1500 AM
The Penguins and Caps resume their rivalry on national television this afternoon – just without the star power this matchup normally provides. No Crosby (concussion). No Malkin (knee). No Semin (groin). No Fehr (upper-body injury). That’s right – I put Eric Fehr in that category. Did you see anyone else with two goals at the Winter Classic? Exactly. Anyway, check out our game preview here.
Still a big game for the Caps. The Penguins, who learned Evgeni Malkin has two torn ligaments in his right knee, can certainly play well for a short time without their stars. They’ve already done so for the better part of three weeks with eight wins in nine games.
“Over the long term [Malkin] is a great player and it’ll affect them,” said Washington coach Bruce Boudreau. “Over the short term they always find ways to overcome. Most teams do. These guys are a better team than most.”
Look out for the David Steckel subplot. He’s the one, after all, who knocked Sidney Crosby from the Winter Classic. Crosby has played just once since then. The Caps say they’ll be ready if Pittsburgh gets overly physical. Then again, we’ve seen plenty of instances where you expect fireworks and nothing happens.
Follow me on Twitter @bmcnally14
