Washington Capitals-Pittsburgh Penguins: Why This One Matters

Alex Ovechkin vs Sidney Crosby. Alex Semin vs Evgeni Malkin. Red, white, and blue vs black, white, and gold. It doesn't get better than Washington vs Pittsburgh in the NHL.

The two teams will meet on the ice for the first time since the Penguins dominated game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals in May, 6-2. Sidney Crosby had two goals in the game and the Caps, along with their fans, were out of it after allowing two goals in an eight-second span in the first period.

Somehow, the two teams have yet to meet this year, but will meet four times in the next two-and-a-half months. Currently, Washington sits on top of the Eastern Conference with 68 points, while Pittsburgh sits in fourth with 63 points. If the playoffs were to start today, and both teams win their first round series, the two would most likely meet in the second round again.

Since the rise of Ovechkin and Crosby, the rivalry between the Pens and Caps has blown up to a level unheard of since the beginning of the millennium, when the Pens knocked off the Caps in the Eastern Conference playoffs in consecutive years.

The two players are now the "co-faces" of the NHL and have taken the last three Hart trophies (MVP). In addition, the duo almost exchanged blows during last February's Pittsburgh loss at Washington, adding more fire to rivalry.

Pittsburgh comes in as winners of four of their last six after taking a downswing in the standings, losing seven of their previous nine. However, their offense seems to be back on track, as they beat the Islanders 6-4 Tuesday.

Defensively, things have been shaky as the Pens have allowed 10 goals in their last two games to Vancouver and New York. With the high-scoring Caps coming into Mellon Arena, the defense will need to shape up fast.

Washington comes in winners of four straight and seven of their last eight. Tuesday's 3-2 win over Detroit was one of the most improbable wins of the season, as the Caps were doubled up in shots 46-23.

In those eight games, Washington has averaged 4.75 goals per game, including six goals in two of those games. Jose Theodore was superb on Tuesday and he will need to be again tonight against the talented Penguins.

This one counts for a lot more than two points in the standings. For Washington, it's a chance to extend their lead to three points in the Eastern Conference and erase the memory of game seven last year.

For Pittsburgh, it's a chance to move within three points of Washington on top of the conference and within two points of division-leading New Jersey. The Pens also get a chance to keep the Caps looking for that elusive win until the two teams square off Feb. 7th in Washington.

The two rivals will also meet Mar. 24 in Washington and Apr. 6 in Pittsburgh. A win by either team tonight will set the tone for the final three matchups. Who knows, it could also determine who gets home ice in the playoffs.