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Washington Capitals: Breaking down the toughest opponents in 2019

By Michael Marzzacco

TAMPA, FL - MARCH 30: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his 50th goal of the season with teammates and against goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on March 30, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - MARCH 30: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his 50th goal of the season with teammates and against goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on March 30, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 12: Brian Dumoulin #8 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles for position against Carl Hagelin #62 of the Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena on March 12, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 12: Brian Dumoulin #8 of the Pittsburgh Penguins battles for position against Carl Hagelin #62 of the Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena on March 12, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Washington sees them: Feb. 2, 23, March 7, 22

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be a different team boasting some turnover similar to the Washington Capitals. Though like one wouldn’t bet against Alex Ovechkin or Nicklas Backstrom, the same holds true for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 07: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals scores a goal against Casey DeSmith #1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at Capital One Arena on November 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 07: T.J. Oshie #77 of the Washington Capitals scores a goal against Casey DeSmith #1 of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period at Capital One Arena on November 7, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Penguins will adjust to life without Phil Kessel, who was traded to the Arizona Coyotes for Alex Galchenyuk. The team also traded Olli Maatta to the Chicago Blackhawks for Dominik Kahun. Longtime center Matt Cullen retired, leaving behind a good legacy. The rivalry itself will also feel different without Brooks Orpik on the ice. The Penguins also signed Brandon Tanev from the Winnipeg Jets.

evgeny kuznetsov
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 07: Evgeny Kuznetsov #92 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his overtime goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at PPG Paints Arena on May 7, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) /

I don’t see the Penguins as a team that could win the Metropolitan Division but rather be a wild card or finish up to third place. They can make the playoffs. The question facing them, like the Capitals, is can the veterans keep up with todays analytical flow of the game.

It’s going to be interesting seeing these two teams meet this late in the season after the All-Star Game festivities on Super Bowl Sunday seeing where they’ll be at. The Capitals four games against the Penguins will each fall on the weekend and will be circled by hockey fans everywhere.

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