Pittsburgh Penguins Game Day vs Washington Capitals

Pittsburgh Penguins vs Washington Capitals, tonight

Tonight’s Game By The Numbers…

Puck Drop 6pm est

Location:  PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Feb 1.22 vs Washington

Recent History: 2020-21 Covid-19 Season -The Pens Won the season series 6-2

Current: 2021-22 (Pens 1 Win -1 Loss)

The Pens Lost 6-1 – Nov14 in Wash

The Pens Won 4-2 – Dec10 in Wash

The Capitals were 1st in the Metropolitan Division, when they kicked the Penguins 6-1 in their first meeting of the season.  Yes, the Penguins had a depleted lineup, however, any way you slice this one, it was a kicking.

Washington was fielding a depleted Covid lineup in the December game.  The Caps played hard, however, the Penguins played well and won 4-2.

The Caps are always a tough out, led by their Captain, and All-World goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin.  Ovie is lighting the lamp with regularity, again this year.  He is chasing Greatness.  The Great 8 has 759 goals at the time of this article, and counting, which is only 135 goals shy of Gretzky’s 894.

The Capitals have already put together a four-game winning streak and a couple of three-game win streaks, so far this season.  What this means is the Caps can get on a roll and look good doing it.  The Caps have been up and down in the month of January.

The Penguins had a super January and always look forward to these games, as barometer, to show how well they stack up against the Caps.  This one, as always, “is a must compete at a high-level” game.  Crosby is nearing 500 career goals, so I expect him to be motivated and to play hard against his longtime rival, the Great 8.  How do the Pens stack up against the Caps?  I see this as a Penguin win-able game. Pens to win.  See Below for the Breakdown.

Game Analysis / Pens Scouting Report

Pittsburgh Penguins Record 27-11-7 = 61 Pts (3rd in the Metropolitan)

Washington Capitals Record 24-12-9 = 57 Pts (4th in the Metropolitan)

Pittsburgh Goals For 151

Capitals Goals For 145

Pittsburgh Goals Against 120

Capitals Goals Against 122

Pittsburgh Goal Differential +31

Capitals Goal Differential +23

Pittsburgh Power Play 20.6%

Capitals Power Play 15.2%

Pittsburgh Penalty Kill 88.2%

Capitals Penalty Kill 81.4%

Pittsburgh Penalty Minutes 300

Capitals Penalty Minutes 316

Pittsburgh Shots Per Game 34.3

Capitals Shots Per Game 31.6

Pittsburgh Team Faceoff 51.1%

Capitals Team Faceoff 46.1%

Pittsburgh Team Goals Against Average 2.56

Capitals Team Goals Against Average 2.67

Pittsburgh Team Save % .920

Capitals Team Save % .910

Pittsburgh G – Jarry #35   2.17 GAA

Capitals G-Samsonov #30   2.79 GAA

Pittsburgh G – Jarry #35   .925 Save %

Capitals G- Samsonov #30 .903 Save %

Key Injuries: Washington Capitals

Kempny-D Jan27.22 IR Covid Protocol

Jensen-D Jan19.22 IR Upper Body

Oshie-F Jan14.22 IR Upper Body

Mantha-F Nov03.21 IR Shoulder

Key Injuries: Pittsburgh Penguins

Heinen-F Jan29.22 DTD Upper Body

Blueger-F Jan22.22 IR Jaw

Zucker -F Jan19.22 IR Core Muscle

Domingue-G Jan19.22 ID Lower Body

O’Connor-F Jan16.22 IR Upper Body

Pens Picks Quick View Scouting Report:

Offense: Pittsburgh

Defense: Pittsburgh

Special Teams: Pittsburgh

My View from the Cheap Seats

This is always a great game to watch, no matter what time of the season.  The Penguins have stumbled as of late, losing in Overtime, in a Shootout and to the LA Kings, again.  However, I predicted last week, in my article, “The Penguins vs the Eastern Conference – Part 2”, that the Penguins could win this game.  In my humble opinion, comparing and analyzing the data listed in my scouting report above, I still feel the same way, Penguins to Win.

Quote of the Day:

“The Harder the Battle, The Sweeter the Victory.”

Anonymous

The below Video was Posted After the Article was written.

Oh well, ya can’t get ’em all right.  Losing in OT however, means MY SCOUTING REPORT is not off by that much….:)