Penguins Today: Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin is a welcome distraction

It’s a new day. Yes that’s it.

Yes, I stole that phrase. But the other option would be to directly address what happened in Carolina last night. And you can’t start a day like that.

It’s best to turn the page quickly. That’s what games on consecutive nights are for, right?

Tonight in Washington there will be the first meeting of the rivalry that has prevailed in the NHL for two decades: Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin.

They were the faces of the league. They leave everlasting legacies with their franchises. They had epic playoff battles.

And at 37 and 39, respectively, Crosby and Malkin are still playing at a high level.

Crosby has five goals and eight points in the last five games. He needs two goals for 600, making him only the ninth player to score at least that many goals and 1,600 points.

Ovechkin has scored eight goals in twelve games. It’s a ridiculous pace, but if he keeps this up, he’ll break Wayne Gretzky’s scoring record (checks notes)…by mid-March.

I wrote about these two and their shared history about a year ago. Here is this story.

If you find yourself trying not to talk about the penguins’ current plight here, then you might be on the right track.

A Rossi rant

One thing worth mentioning after the Penguins’ loss to the Hurricanes last night: Erik Karlsson.

It was a Bucket Of Ick from him, and those buckets stack up.

Karlsson appeared to prompt coach Mike Sullivan to go where he rarely does and publicly indicate he’s unhappy with a player. That’s not Sulivan’s MO, but it’s hard not to read into his post-game comments:

“I think there were a few people who didn’t live up to expectations,” Sullivan said. “It is difficult. We need everyone to give their best every night to have a chance to win.”

I’m reminded of how Kyle Dubas’ big moves in his first few months leading the Penguins backfired.

Reilly Smith was such a disaster that he was replaced after one season. Tristan Jarry ends his AHL loan because he was lit up like a Christmas tree. (By the way, it’s still too early to put up the Christmas tree.)

Karlsson looks like a shell of his former self.

Is it possible that the much-maligned Ryan Graves turns out to be Dubas’ best signing from his first offseason?

It is.

Graves played some of his best hockey for the Penguins. Still, it’s not a good sign when a third-team defenseman reaching midfield may be the only successful move since your hockey boss’s first offseason.

There were votes this week. Let’s wrap this up with a survey:

Which of Kyle Dubas’ three big moves in the 2023 offseason is the biggest hindrance for the Penguins going forward?

— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) November 8, 2024

How to watch, listen and follow

The Penguins (5-8-2, 12 points) face the Washington Capitals (9-3-0, 18 points) at Capital One Arena. The opening faceoff is scheduled for shortly after 7:30 p.m. ET.

• Regional TV/Streaming: SportsNet Pittsburgh/SNP 360
• Local/Regional Radio: WXDX-FM, Penguins Radio Network
• US streaming: ESPN+

Odds via BetMGM (as of 10 a.m. ET)

• Spread: Penguins +1.5 (-185); Capital letters -1.5 (+150)
• In total: Over 6.5 (-105); Below 6.5 (-115)
• Money: Penguins +140; Capital letters -165

Also, I’m @Real_RobRossi and Josh is @JoshYohe_PGH… If You can still find us on X’s feed.

Touch passes

• Jarry’s AHL loan expires this weekend. He performed well for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, allowing just seven goals and posting a .946 SV% in four games.

The Penguins’ options upon his return are:

1. Carry three goalkeepers on the 23-man roster
2. Return to the tandem of Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic and send Joel Blomqvist to the AHL
3. Stick with Blomqvist and Nedeljkovic, place Jarry on waivers — and if he’s released, put him in the AHL for a $1.5 million salary cap savings

#3 is the least likely option.

I’m not a betting man, but #2 seems the most likely.

• Kevin Hayes did not play against the Hurricanes and is day-to-day (upper body). Cody Glass did not return after leaving the Carolina game with an injury (upper body).

The Penguins’ depth takes a hit.

Bryan Rust’s return to the lineup can’t come soon enough.

If that’s the case, Sullivan should at least consider moving Evgeni Malkin back to the second line, where he could play his natural position. Although the fact that Malkin is one of Crosby’s top wingers has Crosby excited after a cool start, the Penguins are much easier to defend when those two play on the same line.

Don’t miss it

I usually share several links to NHL stories that readers might enjoy.

Not today.

The legendary career of colleague Eric Duhatschek is coming to an end. This is his last notebook.

And you can read lots of great tributes to Eric here. All I can add is that Eric welcomed me when I joined the Penguins beat dressed as a younger man, and that he was a role model to reporters, myself included, in so many ways.

But one stands out.

Eric earned his place in the press box of legends by remaining curious, avoiding cynicism and treating people with kindness and respect.

His talent was immense. But it is his ambitious aura that hockey will miss most.

Cheers, sir.

(Photo by Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin: Geoff Burke / Imagn Images)