We know from last year's playoffs that the Penguins can beat the Capitals. Pittsburgh edged Washington again, 3-2 in a shootout, on opening night. That game was in Pittsburgh. I see the Capitals breaking through here at home.

The Capitals were possibly caught looking ahead losing 2-1 to Columbus last night. Washington played its backup goalie, Philipp Grubauer, in that game and Alex Ovechkin saw barely 14 minutes of ice time. Star goalie Braden Holtby will be back in the nets today and Ovechkin should have plenty of energy. He'll be the most dangerous goal scorer in the game if not the entire league. Ovechkin has scored 27 goals in 45 career games versus Pittsburgh.

This game is bigger for Washington than Pittsburgh. The Capitals' offense has been underachieving. They have too many good players for that to continue especially on the power play where they've scored just once in their last 19 chances.

The Penguins are going to be rusty having not played since Saturday.