Here are the highlights from the Penguins 2-1 win over the Capitals tonight, the 10th straight win for Pittsburgh.

Thanks to everyone who followed along tonight and I hope to do this again with everyone real soon.

The Penguins defeated the Capitals 2-1 in a good game in Pittsburgh tonight
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Washington-1, Pittsburgh-2 (FINAL)

The Penguins win their 10th straight game tonight and become the first team in NHL history to win 10 games in a row in three consecutive seasons. The turning point in this game took place in the 3rd period when the Caps could not capitalize on a four minute power play and then immediately gave up the go-ahead goal. That was a true back breaker.

The Caps are off until Thursday when they play the first of two absolutely must win games in a row against the Winnipeg Jets. The Caps are now 12-16-1 and trail the Jets by eight points for the division lead. If the Caps are to have any chance, they must sweep the Jets in Winnipeg.

The Penguins meanwhile are now 23-8-0 and in first place overall in the Eastern Conference. They next play the New York Islanders on Friday as they look for their 11th win in a row.

Here are some final stats from the Pens 2-1 win over the Caps tonight:

Goals:              Capitals-1, Penguins-2

Shots:              Capitals- 29, Penguins-36

Hits:                 Capitals-18, Penguins-30

Faceoff Wins:    Capitals- 31, Penguins-30

Blocks:             Capitals-13, Penguins- 24

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-2 (0:44 3rd Period)

The Caps have an empty net but an offensive zone faceoff. It's crunch time.

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-2 (1:36 3rd Period)

The Caps are running out of time but are putting good pressure on the Pens.

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-2 (5:02 3rd Period)

The Caps are going to need to just start shooting the puck more and not try to be so perfect as the Pens defense is just too good and is not going to allow much of anything. Ovechkin had a good opportunity a moment ago but got hit right as he shot the puck. These last five minutes should be quite intense.

The Pens lead late in the 3rd period
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Washington-1, Pittsburgh-2 (7:54 3rd Period)

GOAL PENS

What a massive momentum shift. The Caps fail to convert on a four minute power play and as soon as the power play opportunity ends Niskanen jumps up on the rush and buries a shot past Braden Holtby. The Pens are now up 2-1 and it sure looks like that 10th win in a row is well in hand.

Can the Caps score on the power play again?
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Washington-1, Pittsburgh-1 (12:11 3rd Period)

This might be the critical moment of the game as Matt Cooke gets called for a penalty. It did not take long for Laich to end up on the caps top line tonight and it immediately yields benefits. The game is right here for the Caps to take if their power play can cash in.

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-1 (14:33 3rd Period)

Neither team is giving an inch and open ice is a fantasy right now. Still, both teams are getting their chances and both goalies are really sharp.

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-1 (17:16 3rd Period)

Some good chances for both teams after the Pens killed off the Caps' power play including a nice save by Holtby on Crosby.

Braden Holtby has been sharp so far
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Washington-1, Pittsburgh-1 (End of 2nd Period)

For the Caps, the good news is that they are still very much in this game even though the Pens are winning most of the statistical battles. The Caps can win this game and they will start the 3rd period on the power play. The Penguins can, and probably should, win this game though. The intensity between the two teams seems to be increasing and both teams are more active on the forecheck. This 3rd period should be a good one.

Here are stats through two periods in Pittsburgh:

Goals:              Capitals-1, Penguins-1

Shots:              Capitals- 21, Penguins-24

Hits:                 Capitals-14, Penguins-21

Faceoff Wins:    Capitals- 19, Penguins-21

Blocks:             Capitals-10, Penguins- 13

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-1 (1:14 2nd Period)

Is there a better defender right now than Brooks Orpik? How many guys can handle Ovechkin one-on-one—without a stick no less?

The Pens just drew a bad penalty and the Caps will go back on the power play.

Brooks Laich send Sidney Crosby tumbling
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Washington-1, Pittsburgh-1 (4:39 2nd Period)

The Caps have pushed back some and the game seems to have slowed down a bit. Fleury makes a solid save on John Carlson off of a good set up.

NBC Sports Network made an interesting observation that would seem to support the fact that Ovi has lost a step. This would appear to be accurate as Ovi just does not seem to have the speed he did a couple of years ago.

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-1 (7:37 2nd Period)

The Penguins are starting to impose their will a bit more and are taking the game to the Caps some.

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-1 (8:53 2nd Period)

GOAL PENS

Paul Martin hammers a power play goal home for his sixth goal of the year to tie this game at 1-1.

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-0 (9:57 2nd Period)

The Pens are on the power play and looking to draw even. Holtby is closing the door on every shot the Pens are taking at him on this opportunity.

Washington-1, Pittsburgh-0 (11:46 2nd Period)

GOAL CAPS

The Caps' power play strikes as Alexander Ovechkin absolutely hammers a rolling puck off the post and past Fleury. The Caps draw first blood in this one.

Washington-0, Pittsburgh-0 (12:16 2nd Period)

The Caps are on their second power play of the game as Chris Kunitz got whistled for tripping.

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Washington-0, Pittsburgh-0 (13:43 2nd period)

Still no score in the Steel City so far but both teams are playing hard. The Caps look to have a little more jump this period but the Pens look like they can turn it on at any time. Unlike the first two games, this one looks like it will be a tight contest throughout.

Washington-0, Pittsburgh-0 (16:50 2nd Period)

Some great sustained pressure by the Caps nearly yields a goal but Fleury is just too strong. Brooks Laich is making his presence felt each time he is on the ice.

The Penguins now sit atop Sports Illustrated's Power Rankings.

#Caps forward Brooks Laich skated 4:38 in the 1st period, including 1:09 on a successful PK in his first NHL action of the season. #CapsPens

— Washington Capitals (@washcaps) March 20, 2013

Here is how Brooks Laich is doing so far in his first action of the season.

No score so far in Pittsburgh tonight
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Here are some stats after the 1st period tonight:

Goals:              Capitals-0, Penguins-0

Shots:              Capitals- 10, Penguins-11

Hits:                 Capitals-8, Penguins-14

Faceoff Wins:    Capitals- 8, Penguins-6

Blocks:             Capitals-6, Penguins- 6

Washington-0, Pittsburgh-0 (End of 1st Period)

A good 1st period in Pittsburgh tonight. Both teams have had some good scoring chances but have not been able to break through. Braden Holtby and Marc-Andre Fleury look really sharp. That is six shutout home periods in a row for Fleury. It is going to take a strong effort for the Caps to break through.

Alexander Ovechkin looks strong tonight as does Sidney Crosby. Ovi drew a penalty in the closing moments of the period so the Caps will be on the power play to start the 2nd period.

Washington-0, Pittsburgh-0 (1:43 1st Period)

The Caps just blew a good 3 on 2 opportunity. MoJo set up Perreault for a one timer but the angle was not too good and Fleury was able to make the good save.

The Caps are trying to be physical with Sidney Crosby tonight
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Washington-0, Pittsburgh-0 (3:34 1st Period)

NBC Sports Network just showed how the Caps are really being physical with Crosby tonight. Brooks Laich let Sid know he was back on the ice.

Still you have to be impressed with the way the Pens move the puck around. Very fluid with no wasted motions. They are a really scary team to play against—even without Malkin and Letang.