SB Nation DC - Capitals Vs. Penguins: Evgeni Malkin Leads Pittsburgh To 4-3 Overtime Win Over Washington

Capitals Vs. Penguins: Alex Ovechkin, Zbynek Michalek To Meet With Department Of Player Safety Monday

2012-01-23T04:41:50Z

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Zbynek Michalek will both meet with the NHL's Department of Player Safety Monday to discuss their respective hits during the Penguins' 4-3 overtime win Sunday.

Both hits took place during the second period. First, Ovechkin left his feet to hit Michalek along the boards while also making contact with his head at 4:05. No penalty was called and Michalek was not injured on the play.

Meanwhile, Michalek's meeting will discuss his hit about five minutes later on Matt Hendricks. Michalek drove Hendricks into the boards with his elbow making contact with Hendricks' head. Michalek received a two-minute elbowing minor on the play, but Hendricks did not miss a shift. A video of the hit can be seen below via NBC Sports:

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Ovechkin's hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon, while Michalek's is scheduled for Monday morning.

Capitals Vs. Penguins Final Score: Evgeni Malkin Leads Pittsburgh To 4-3 Overtime Win Over Washington

2012-01-22T20:24:16Z

The Washington Capitals lost 4-3 in overtime to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon. Evgeni Malkin continued his brilliant play of late, scoring the game winner in the extra session. Malkin is the leading scorer in the league, and he ended the game on a rebound off the boards behind the net. The puck ricocheted right onto his stick and he flipped it high into the net for the game winner.

Alex Ovechkin gave the Caps the 3-2 lead a little over a minute into the final period. Mathieu Perreault moved the puck into the zone, drawing Brooks Orpik along the boards as he crossed the blue line. He strategically left the puck in a dead spot of the offensive zone and Alexander Semin came in and swooped it up. Semin sent a beautiful crossing pass to Ovechkin who was trailing down the left side of the ice. The Washington captain one-timed a shot past Marc-Andre Fleury before he was able to rotate over in the crease.

Pittsburgh would tie it up six minutes later on James Neal's second goal of the game. The play was set up by Malkin, as he darted down the middle of the ice and split the Capitals' defense. After falling down, he managed to control the puck in the corner, getting it out to Neal who was set up in the slot. With Chris Kunitz providing a screen in front, Neal beat Michael Neuvirth over the left shoulder and just under the cross bar to even it at three. Malkin would add his third point of the afternoon in the overtime session, giving Pittsburgh its sixth win in a row.

With Monday off, Washington now hosts the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.

For more on the Capitals you can always head over to Japers' Rink. For some perspective from the other side of the ice, check out PensBurgh, SB Nation's Penguins blog. And for more on this and every NHL game, head over to the SB Nation NHL hub page.

VIDEO: Alex Ovechkin Levels Zbynek Michalek

2012-01-22T19:25:03Z

Because it wouldn't be a Capitals-Penguins game -- however watered down -- without a big hit, here's Alex Ovechkin wrecking Zbynek Michalek on the boards, via CSN Washington:

We'll have plenty more on this game throughout the day at SB Nation D.C., so keep it locked to this StoryStream. For more on the Capitals you can always head over to Japers' Rink. For some perspective from the other side of the ice, check out PensBurgh, SB Nation's Penguins blog. And for more on this and every NHL game, head over to the SB Nation NHL hub page.

Capitals Vs. Penguins Score Update: Washington Evens It Up With Two-Goal Second Period

2012-01-22T19:16:03Z

The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins are tied at 2-2 after two periods at Consol Energy Center. The Capitals cut the Penguins lead in half a little over twelve minutes into the second period. Brooks Laich beat Marc-Andre Fleury for his ninth goal of the season. With four-on-four play, Dennis Wideman took it behind the net and fed Laich in front who in turn quickly poked the puck into the back of the net. Pascal Dupuis lost his stick during the four-on-four shift and the Caps were sure to keep the puck on his side of the ice.

Washington evened it up at 2-2 on an Alexander Semin goal, his 12th of the season. After the Pens turned it over trying to get too cute on a two-on-one play, the Caps raced out the other way in transition. Alex Ovechkin brought the puck to the center of the ice and dropped it on the stick of Matthieu Perreault, who put a quick wrister on Fleury. The shot led to a big rebound in front and Semin came in to clean it up with a quick backhand to tie it up.

We'll have plenty more on this game throughout the day at SB Nation D.C., so keep it locked to this StoryStream. For more on the Capitals you can always head over to Japers' Rink. For some perspective from the other side of the ice, check out PensBurgh, SB Nation's Penguins blog. And for more on this and every NHL game, head over to the SB Nation NHL hub page.

Capitals Vs. Penguins Score Update: Pittsburgh Takes A Two-Goal Lead After First Period

2012-01-22T18:21:12Z

The Pittsburgh Penguins took a 2-0 lead over the Washington Capitals after the first twenty minutes of their Sunday afternoon matchup at Consol Energy Center. The Pens struck twice within the first six minutes. Kris Letang put the Pens on the board first, burying a shot from the top of the zone on the power play. Chris Kunitz set up a screen in front and Letang's rocket found the back of the net over the left shoulder of Michael Neuvirth.

Pittsburgh took a two-goal lead on James Neal's 25th goal of the season. Evgeni Malkin and Neal continue to wreak havoc, with Malkin setting up Neal on a face-off for the second goal of the game. The Russian center won the face-off and put the puck through his legs back to Neal who quickly put a wrister past Neuvirth to make it 2-0. The puck was in the back of the net less than two seconds after it was dropped on the face-off, with Neuvirth having little time to react.

Marcus Johansson Injury Update: Capitals Center Out With Illness For Sunday Afternoon Game Against Penguins

2012-01-22T17:32:42Z

Washington Capitals center Marcus Johansson will not play against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon. The versatile forward was held out of the game because of illness. Stephen Whyno of the Washington Times tweeted about his absence, with Mathieu Perreault set to take his place.

Via @SWhnyno:

Marcus Johansson looks to be out for #Caps. Mathieu Perreault in his place.

Johansson scored in the first period of Friday night's game against the Montreal Canadiens. He did get hit awkwardly in the leg late in the third period, going down and grimacing in pain as he went off the ice. Today's scratch, however, is being ruled as an illness and not a lower body injury.

Capitals Vs. Penguins: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

2012-01-22T13:17:31Z

The Washington Capitals (25-19-2, 52 points) and Pittsburgh Penguins (26-17-4, 56 points) meet Sunday for the final time in the regular season, with the Capitals continuing to struggle offensively and the Penguins rolling.

Washington was shut out for the second time in three games Friday night, losing 3-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals also failed to score in a 3-0 defeat to the New York Islanders last Tuesday evening. In the loss to Carolina, Washington mustered just 23 shots on goal.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has won five games in a row, with their last loss coming at the hands of the Caps on January 11. Evgeni Malkin as been on fire for the Penguins, amassing 10 points during the five-game winning streak.

Here is all the information you need for today's game:

Game Date/Time: Sunday, January 22; 12:30 P.M. ET

Location: CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

TV Schedule: NBC

Radio Schedule: 1500 AM

Capitals Vs. Penguins: Washington, Pittsburgh End Season Installment Sunday

2012-01-22T04:05:42Z

The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins have played three highly-contested games so far this season, all of which have been decided by one goal. Sunday, the Caps and Pens end their season series as the former ends a three-game road trip in Pittsburgh.

Washington is coming off its second 3-0 defeat this week to the Carolina Hurricanes Friday. In fact, the Caps have played in three consecutive 3-0 games; they lost to the New York Islanders by that score Tuesday, but defeated the Montreal Canadiens Wednesday. The idle Caps fell out of first place in the Southeast Division Saturday with the Florida Panthers' shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets and now sit in eighth place in the Eastern Conference entering Sunday.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has won five straight with its last loss coming to Washington January 11. The Penguins are in sixth place in the East, four points ahead of the Caps.

The key for the Caps Sunday is finding a way to stop Evgeni Malkin, who has 10 points (eight goals) during the Penguins' five-game winning streak. Marc-Andre Fleury will likely make his 21st consecutive appearance.