Notables
* This is the third of four meetings this season between the rivals. The Pens won the first matchup, 7-6, on Oct. 4 at PPG Paints Arena, while the Caps took the second matchup, 2-1, on Nov. 7 at Capital One Arena.
* The Pens have earned points in the standings in 6 of their last 8 games (5-2-1) and 11 of their last 15 (8-4-3), while the Caps have won 12 of their last 14 games and enter tonight on a 5-game win streak. They have recorded at least 3 goals in all 14 of those games.
* Much of their success can be attributed to the play of Alex Ovechkin, who has been filling the back of the net at a torrid pace. He was named the NHL's First Star for the week ending Dec. 16 as he paced the NHL with seven goals in three games, highlighted by back-to-back hat tricks, to propel the Metro Division-leading Capitals to a perfect week and their fifth straight win overall.
* Overall, Ovechkin enters tonight on a 6-game goal-scoring streak, with 10 tallies over that span. He has 23 points (17G-6A) over a 14-game point streak.
* This is the 73rd meeting between Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby. The Pens captain has compiled 34 goals and 96 points in those games, while the Caps captain has totaled 46 goals and 83 points. * Crosby (4A), Phil Kessel (2G-1A-3PTS) and Evgeni Malkin (1G-2A-3PTS) all carry 3-game point streaks into tonight's game. The trio is tied for the team scoring lead with 36 points.
* Another Pens player who has been hot as of late is Bryan Rust, who has 5 goals and 6 points in his last 4 games.
* Pens head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that Matt Murray will start in goal and said that Patric Hornqvist is "very probable" to return tonight after missing the last 6 games with an upper-body injury.
Injuries
PIT - Patric Hornqvist (upper body), Justin Schultz (left leg fracture), Dominik Simon (lower body).
WSH - Christian Djoos (left thigh), Brooks Orpik (right knee).
