8 Great Things To Expect from the Washington Capitals-Pittsburgh Penguins Game

Most people are excited for the Super Bowl tomorrow night. But hours before the Green Bay Packers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game of one of the greatest growing rivalries in the NHL will take place.

The Penguins will head into Washington D.C. looking to avenge their Winter Classic loss. With the season series even at one game apiece, this looks to be just another chapter in the Capitals-Penguins rivalry book.

In honor of Alex Ovechkin (and half of the injured Sidney Crosby's number), here are eight things to expect from tomorrow's matchup.

8. Target on Washington Capitals Forward David Steckel's Head

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles for control of the puck against David Steckel #39 of the Washington Capitals during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh,

Even though David Steckel's Winter Classic hit on Sidney Crosby was ruled incidental conduct and truly didn't appear to be malicious, the Pittsburgh Penguins will likely disagree.

Since their captain is still out on injured reserve, the Penguins will look for revenge.

Each time Steckel steps onto the ice, the Penguins will take every shot they can.

7. Fights

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 01: John Erskine #4 of the Washington Capitals and Michael Rupp #17 of the Pittsburgh Penguins fight during the 2011 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic at Heinz Field on January 1, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie S

The combination of the rivalry and the Penguins' targeting of Steckel will cause a lot of fights in this game.

Usually the two teams are well behaved, not wanting to take dumb penalties and give the other team the advantage. Tomorrow, they'll have no choice but to defend their teammates.

Steckel isn't usually much of a fighter, so Washington enforcers Matt Hendricks, Matt Bradley and John Erskine will step up.

Maybe we'll see a rematch of John Erskine versus Mike Rupp?

6. Reminders of Sidney Crosby's Absence

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PITTSBURGH - MAY 28: Hockey analyst Pierre McGuire interviews Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during after the first period of game three of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings at Mellon Arena on May 28, 2008 in Pit

The game is being broadcast on NBC as the Sunday Game of the Week. Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuire obsess over Sidney Crosby's presence during games. They'll be even more obsessed with his absence.

Instead of wearying of their tireless Sidney Crosby mentions, why not turn it into a game? A drinking game for every mention.

5. Other Players Will Get Noticed on the National Stage

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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 16: John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with Marcus Johansson #90 and Nicklas Backstrom #19 after scoring the game winning goal against the Ottawa Senators at the Verizon Center on January 16, 2011 in Washingto

With the absence of Crosby, other players will get their time in the spotlight.

Young Capitals like Mathieu Perreault and John Carlson and young Penguins like Ben Lovejoy and Dustin Jeffrey will be able to get some attention.

4. Return of Alexander Semin?

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WASHINGTON - JANUARY 08: Alexander Semin #28 of the Washington Capitals warms up before the game against the Florida Panthers at the Verizon Center on January 8, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Alexander Semin is still nursing a groin injury. Before the Tampa game on Friday, Semin said that he was close to a return.

The Penguins games are important games on the schedule. Will Semin really miss this game?

3. Ratings

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PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 31: The Washington Capitals pose for their team photo during the 2011 NHL Winter Classic Practice on December 31, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

The Winter Classic match between the Penguins and the Capitals brought in 4.5 million viewers, the most viewers of an NHL regular season game in 36 years.

Being Super Bowl Sunday, inside again and at 12:30 p.m. rather than primetime, this matchup won't get anywhere close that many viewers. But it will get high ratings.

The Capitals-Penguins Super Bowl Sunday game seems to be a tradition now that it's in its second consecutive year. It's pretty ingenious that the NHL schedules the hottest current rivalry in the league for the biggest football day of the year.

It gives hockey fans something to talk about and tune in for.  

2. The Capitals Win

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TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 22: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during game action at the Air Canada Centre January 22, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

Without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for the Penguins, the Capitals will have the advantage.

The Capitals will be able to generate more offense to beat the Penguins.

1. Penguins Continue To Fall in Standings

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 08: Evgeni Malkin #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins takes a breather during a game against the Minnesota Wild on January 8, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The Penguins have found ways to win without their top offensive stars.

But they've also lost a lot of games they probably would have won if they had a healthy team.

They'll continue to fall in the standings. Not good for the second half of the season.