PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There have been matchups where one of the big three have missed, there is a chance tonight it will be a Pens-Caps game without Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin.
Malkin (out since March 16) did skate with the team this morning and is a game-time decision. Same with forward Frederick Gaudreau (out since April 11) and Brandon Tanev (out since April 3).
Ovechkin has missed the last couple of games with a lower body injury, did not skate Thursday morning. Washington head coach Peter Laviolette ruled him out.
Ready for boos
It’s the first matchup of the year in Washington where Caps fans are in the stands. They just started allowing fans in the DC arena on Tuesday.
“The players love having fans in the stands,” Sullivan said. “It creates another level of enthusiasm. It creates another level of excitement. Fans play a really important role in this environment we all love. It’s exciting when fans get back in the building.”
“We look forward to packed buildings again so the excitement level is through the roof.”
Former Pens thriving
Over the years there have been a number of former Penguins on the Capitals roster from one of the all-time greats in Jaromir Jagr to an all-time leader in Brooks Oprik. Currently the Caps are benefitting from a couple of who moved on from the black and gold.
Daniel Sprong
· The Pens could never find a fit for their 2015 second round pick, Sprong is currently the left wing on the top line, filling in for Ovechkin. In two games with that unit, Sprong has three goals. The 24-year-old has 10 overall in 36 games.
Conor Sheary
· Scored the most goals since the 2018-19 season with 12 in 46 games and plays on a solid third line with Lars Eller and Michael Raffl. That year in Buffalo, Sheary had 14 in 78 games. His career-high is 23 with the Pens in 2016-17.
Carl Hagelin
· Part of a fourth line centered by Nic Dowd, the 32-year-old still has speed and is a big part of their penalty kill with 13 points and is a plus 6.
Justin Schultz
· The defenseman is eligible to return Thursday night after missing the last three games with an undisclosed injury. Earlier, Schultz missed a few games after getting a shot off his face and losing several teeth. While not back to the form with the Pens in 2016-17 where he had 12 goals and 39 assists in 78 games. The 30-year-old played in 42 games this year with 3 goals and 20 assists and is a plus 12.