The Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins will do battle in the opener of their Eastern Conference semifinal series Thursday night. The Pens have owned their Metropolitan Division rival in the postseason in recent years, but I like Washington to claim this game.

History doesn't seem to scare the Caps; "There's not a person in our locker room or on our coaching staff that doesn't want to play the Penguins," Washington coach Barry Trotz said. "It's probably fitting. We're actually quite excited about it. They're two good teams. They always have been, and you get another match. It's all good."

Note that Pittsburgh will be without two key players tonight. Center Evgeni Malkin (who led Pittsburgh in scoring in the regular season) and Carl Hagelin have both been ruled out for this contest because of unspecified injuries.

10* play on Washington Capitals.