Pittsburgh Penguins (10-6-1, third in the East Division) vs. Washington Capitals (9-5-4, second in the East Division)
Washington; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Nicklas Backstrom leads Washington into a matchup against Pittsburgh. He currently ranks ninth in the NHL with 22 points, scoring eight goals and recording 14 assists.
The Capitals have gone 9-5-4 against division opponents. Washington has scored 59 goals and is ninth in the league averaging 3.3 per game. Backstrom leads the team with eight.
The Penguins are 10-6-1 against the rest of their division. Pittsburgh has scored eight power-play goals, converting on 16.3% of chances.
The teams square off for the second straight game.
TOP PERFORMERS: Justin Schultz leads the Capitals with a plus-eight in 14 games this season. Alex Ovechkin has five goals and five assists over the last 10 games for Washington.
Kasperi Kapanen leads the Penguins with a plus-eight in 14 games this season. Jake Guentzel has four goals and six assists over the last 10 games for Pittsburgh.
LAST 10 GAMES: Capitals: 4-5-1, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.8 assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.6 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game with an .896 save percentage.
Penguins: 6-4-0, averaging three goals, 5.6 assists, 3.2 penalties and 7.8 penalty minutes while allowing 2.8 goals per game with a .905 save percentage.
INJURIES: Capitals: Michal Kempny: out (lower body).
Penguins: None listed.
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