Since Alex Ovechkin debuted within the 2005-06 NHL season, he has performed in 1,504 regular-season video games, scored an all-time report 900 targets and received one Stanley Cup.
Since Sidney Crosby debuted within the 2005-06 NHL season, he has performed in 1,366 regular-season video games, scored 1,704 factors (ninth all-time), and received three Stanley Cups.
Each are first-ballot, elite-tier Corridor of Famers after they cease enjoying. Thursday’s recreation between Ovi’s Washington Capitals and Sid’s Pittsburgh Penguins will probably be their 74th regular-season matchup and 99th general — and may very well be one of many hockey world’s final probabilities to catch them in opposition to each other.
To assist get you prepared for the showdown (7:30 p.m. ET, solely on ESPN+ and Hulu), this is a information on the important thing gamers to observe for every staff, together with in-depth statistical insights from ESPN Analysis, together with broadcast info.
Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN+/Hulu
PPG Paints Enviornment (Pittsburgh)
Capitals
Document: 7-5-1
Energy rating: 10
Main scorer: Tom Wilson (8 G, 7 A)
Notes from ESPN Analysis
Ovechkin has 266 targets greater than every other energetic participant; Crosby is second on that listing, with 634.
Together with playoffs, Ovechkin has scored 977 targets, 23 away from becoming a member of Wayne Gretzky (1,016) as the one members of the 1,000-goal membership together with postseason.
Wilson’s 15 factors this season lead the staff, and are tied for his most via his first 13 video games in a season (2018-19). Since his debut within the league in 2013-14, he has the sixth-most hits (2,536).
Dylan Strome has 225 factors since becoming a member of the Capitals in 2022-23, which is probably the most on the staff in that span.
John Carlson has 158 assists on Ovechkin’s targets, probably the most by a defenseman on a teammate’s targets all-time. Bobby Orr is second — 130 with Phil Esposito — whereas Penguins blueliner Kris Letang is third, with 125 to Sidney Crosby.
Logan Thompson has allowed two or fewer targets in all 9 of his begins to start the season. With one purpose allowed on Wednesday, he grew to become the fifth goaltender over the previous 20 years to permit two or fewer targets in opposition to in 9 consecutive appearances to start his season. The others: Andrew Hammond (13 video games performed in 2014-15), Brian Elliott (12 GP in 2011-12), Josh Harding (9 GP in 2013-14) and Nikolai Khabibulin (9 GP in 2011-12).
Penguins
Document: 8-4-2
Energy rating: 7
Main scorer: Evgeni Malkin (3 G, 16 A)
Notes from ESPN Analysis
Crosby’s 9 targets this season are tied for his third-most over the primary 14 video games of a season in his profession. It additionally occurred in 2007-08 and 2009-10, and this trails the 14 he scored in 14 video games in 2016-17 and 10 in 2023-24.
His 1,704 profession factors are ninth all-time and 20 away from passing Mario Lemieux (1,723) not just for eighth all-time however for probably the most in Penguins franchise historical past.
Malkin’s 19 factors are the second-most via 14 video games amongst gamers age 39 or older in NHL historical past, trailing Gordie Howe’s 23 via 14 video games at age 40 in 1968-69.
Erik Karlsson has 11 factors in his final 10 video games. That is tied for second amongst defensemen (Lane Hutson) for the reason that span started Oct. 16, trailing Cale Makar’s 13.
Letang has performed 1,009 video games with Crosby, the sixth-most by a forward-defenseman duo in NHL historical past; they only broke a tie with Mark Messier and Kevin Lowe on Monday.
Primarily based on shot high quality and amount, Arturs Silovs has the third-best targets saved above anticipated within the NHL this season at +5.3, behind solely Connor Hellebuyck (+6.3) and Elvis Merzlikins (+5.9), per Stathletes.