This will mark the 70th regular season meeting between Ovechkin and Crosby, who have a "great relationship," according to the Capitals captain. WASHINGTON — For the 70th time in the regular season, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby will square off as the Washington Capitals take on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Both teams have experienced different starts to the 2024-25 campaign, but for D.C., it will be looking to keep the good times rolling as it goes for its eighth straight home victory. Here's everything to know before puck drop at 7:30 p.m. ET at Capital One Arena. WASHINGTON CAPITALS LINE COMBINATIONS Though Jakob Chychrun is close to returning and wasn't ruled out for Friday, he took the scratches' skate and is also still on injured reserve, so he is unlikely to play against the Penguins. Meanwhile, Sonny Milano suffered an upper-body injury up front, meaning that Jakub Vrana will draw back into the mix for Washington. Charlie Lindgren starts in goal as the Capitals continue to alternate between their netminders. Here are the projected lines: Alex Ovechkin-Dylan Strome-Aliaksei Protas Connor McMichael-Pierre-Luc Dubois-Tom Wilson Andrew Mangiapane-Hendrix Lapierre-Jakub Vrana Brandon Duhaime-Nic Dowd-Taylor Raddysh Martin Fehervary-John Carlson Rasmus Sandin-Matt Roy Alex Alexeyev-Trevor van Riemsdyk Charlie Lindgren Logan Thompson WASHINGTON CAPITALS STATS - Alex Ovechkin is on a five-game scoring streak, with six goals over that span. He's on pace to finish with 55 goals, which would have him passing Wayne Gretzky and the 900-goal mark in the spring. - Dylan Strome has a team-leading 19 points this season and has points in 11 of 12 games this year. He is also the NHL's leader in 5-on-5 scoring. - Connor McMichael has seven goals in his last seven games, and Aliaksei Protas has eight points in his last five games. - The power play needs help, as it is currently 2-for-37 since the season opener and went 0-for-6 against the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. WASHINGTON CAPITALS PLAYERS & STORYLINES TO WATCH - Both Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby are averaging over a point per game and are set to renew their rivalry for the 20th season. Here's what No. 8 had to say about it: - Keep an eye on McMichael and Protas, but also look out for Pierre-Luc Dubois. Though bounces haven't gone his way, he's doing everything right, and his play has been impressive to open his tenure in D.C. Sooner rather than later, something will give and will hopefully translate to goals for him. He has eight points in 17 career games against Pittsburgh. - Watch for Rasmus Sandin on the blue line; the Swedish blueliner was solid with Matt Roy back on Wednesday and will be looking to make an impact again.
