Game 82 Preview: Washington Captials vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Photo credit: NHL.com
It's the last game of the season for both the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby set to faceoff against each other in final game of the 2024-25 regular season at the PPG Paints Arena.
According to NHL.com, here's the projected lineups for both teams ahead of tonight's 7pm puck drop.
Capitals projected lineup:
Alex Alexeyev -- Trevor van Riemsdyk
Penguins projected lineup
Matt Grzelcyk -- Erik Karlsson
Scratched: Filip Kral
Injured: Kris Letang (heart surgery), P.O Joseph (upper body)
"Stevenson will start in his NHL debut. ... Chychrun and Carlson, each a defenseman, missed a 3-1 win at the New York Islanders on Tuesday for maintenance. ... Letang is expected to recover in 4-6 weeks after having surgery to close a patent foramen ovale (small hole in his heart); the defenseman played a season-low 17:21 in a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday. ... Hayes will be a game-time decision after missing the past two practices with a lower-body injury; if he is unable to play, the Penguins could dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen." -NHL.com
The Penguins took the first matchup against the Capitals back in early November, but Washington responded with authority, winning the next two meetings 4-1 in January and 8-3 in February. Tonight's game offers Pittsburgh a shot at redemption, and an opportunity to even the season series at two wins apiece.
Today marks the end of the road for the 57th team in Penguins history, as they miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season. With the final game behind them, the team now turns its focus to breakdown day and a long offseason, one that will be spent resting, rehabbing, and preparing to hit the ice with renewed purpose next fall.
Tonight's game will be largely meaningless for the Capitals as well, but for a very different reason. Locked in as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Washington's focus is firmly on preparing for the playoffs. The top priority tonight: stay healthy, keep the legs moving, and make sure the team is sharp and ready for the postseason push ahead, set to begin on Monday night against the Montreal Canadiens.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 17 | 52 ANSWERS Game 82 Preview: Washington Captials vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Will the Capitals end their regular season with a win over the Penguins? | ||
| yes | 22 | 42.3 % |
| no | 30 | 57.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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