Both are first-ballot, elite-tier Hall of Famers when they stop playing. Thursday's game between Ovi's Washington Capitals and Sid's Pittsburgh Penguins will be their 74th regular-season matchup and 99th overall -- and could be one of the hockey world's last chances to catch them against one another.

The Penguins have yet to make a decision on Harrison Brunicke for the rest of the season, but he appears to be a healthy scratch for this game. Ryan Graves and Connor Clifton appear to be returning to the lineup. Joona Koppanen also appears to be playing after he was called up from WBS on Thursday.

Crosby put the Penguins ahead 1-0 on a power play at 2:22 of the first period, scoring with a wrist shot from the right circle off a set up by Kindel. He then made it 2-0 with another power-play goal, his sixth this season, by tapping in a rebound under Lindgren at 11:32.

The Washington Capitals face the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Thursday.

It’s season 21 for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals captains, but their rivalry is still fierce and strong as ever.

Sidney Crosby scored twice, and Bryan Rust delivered the go-ahead goal midway through the third period as the Pittsburgh Penguins edged the Washington Capitals 5-3.

Pittsburgh Penguins rookie goaltender Arturs Silovs is scheduled to start Thursday’s home game against the Washington Capitals. Coach Dan Muse announced Silovs’ status following an optional morning skate in Cranberry.

Sidney Crosby scored two goals and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the visiting Washington Capitals 5-3 on Thursday night despite surrendering a three-goal second-period lead.

Alex Ovechkin reached 900 NHL goals, celebrated by Penguins fans and players in Pittsburgh. Notable rivals congratulated Ovechkin, including Erik Karlsson, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Ovechkin and Crosby continue their legendary rivalry, each scoring during their 99th matchup.

Bryan Rust saved the game. The other star players saved the storyline. As of Wednesday afternoon, Thursday night’s Pittsburgh Penguins versus Capitals matchup had all the makings of a showdown jam-packed with celebration and sentiment.

Sidney Crosby scored twice and Bryan Rust delivered the go-ahead goal midway through the third period as the Pittsburgh Penguins edged Alex Ovechkin and the Washington