NOTABLES
* The Pens face the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals, the team that eliminated Pittsburgh from the playoffs last season in the Second Round. It's the 2nd matchup this season with the Pens winning a thrilling 7-6 overtime contest in Pittsburgh.
* In that 7-6 contest, 7 Pens players had multi-point games, which includes a pair of 3-point nights from Kris Letang (2G-1A) and Evgeni Malkin (1G-2A).
* The Pens are 0-3-1 in their last 4 games and are hoping to stop the skid tonight.
* Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak will play in his 200th career NHL game tonight. He has as many points (22) in 59 games with Pittsburgh (8G-14A) as he posted in 140 games with Dallas (7G-15A).
* The lineup will be a game-time decision, but forwards Zach Aston-Reese and Garrett Wilson were both recalled from the AHL, while Derek Grant was re-assigned.
* There will be a pre-game ceremony held for Nicklas Backstrom for reaching 600 career assists. He is the 1st Caps player in team history to reach the mark.
* Alex Ovechkin leads the club with 11 goals, which are tied for 2nd in the NHL. Meanwhile, Evgeny Kuznetsov leads the team in scoring with 18 points (6G-12A).
* Goaltender Braden Holtby has had a rough start to the season, boasting a 3.62 GAA and .888 save percentage. Very un-Holtby like.
INJURIES
PIT - Derick Brassard (lower-body), Justin Schultz (leg fracture).
WSH - Brooks Orpik (undisclosed).
