Ovechkin and Crosby have marked a generation of hockey players, and will continue to do so for ages. It felt like their on-ice rivalry would go on forever, but the finish line is now closer than ever. The Penguins and Capitals will face-off in a home-and-home back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday in what could be the last time the two icons go head to head.

Sunday’s showdown will be even more special, as it might be the last time Ovechkin ever plays a game in Washington—the only city he’s ever called home in his 21-season career. As a result, everybody wants to have a seat at Capital One Arena, and prices are going through the roof.

According to Axios, the average get-in price on third-party resale platforms (such as TickPick) is set at $377. That is well above the $102 average price for home games in the Nation’s Capital City. As reported by this source, the price has surpassed the previous peak of $319, which was set on April 10, 2025—the first home game after Ovechkin seized the all-time goals record in the NHL. This time around, the occasion is even more special.

Is Ovechkin retiring?

Ovechkin recently admitted he will take his sweet time during the summer to make a decision on his future. The Capitals’ captain will turn 41 before the 2026–27 campaign. Since capturing the all-time goals record in the NHL, there isn’t really a clear goal for him to go after.

After all, he has accomplished everything any player could ever dream of. If he decides to call it a career, he can walk away from the rink with his chin held high. Fans in Washington wish he could play forever, though. Needless to say, whenever he retires, a statue in his honor will be erected in the City of Monuments.

Ovechkin’s stats against Crosby’s Penguins

So far in their careers, Ovechkin and Crosby have met 74 times. When the 2025–26 NHL season comes to an end, the total number of games will be at 76—unless either one of them misses one of their upcoming bouts. Ovechkin has scored 38 times against the Penguins when Crosby is in the lineup.

When adding the games Crosby didn’t play in, Ovechkin has 42 goals against Pittsburgh. Over the weekend, he’ll hope to add to his total. Perhaps it will be the last time the two will meet. After all, Ovechkin only gets one chance to make a last impression.

“Florida’s Eetu Luostarinen has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for high-sticking Pittsburgh’s Rickard Rakell,” as stated by the NHL‘s Department of Player Safety on its social media.

No further discipline has been announced, meaning Luostarinen won’t be suspended for his actions. Pittsburgh fans don’t love this decision, with many pointing to Evgeni Malkin’s five-game suspension for slashing exactly one month ago. However, the two penalties aren’t quite comparable.

Season over for Panthers

With five games left on the schedule, Florida is already eliminated from playoff contention. Thus, the Cats have decided to shut down several stars, like Brad Marchand, Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Sam Reinhart. Their lineup nowadays looks nothing like the one that hoisted the Stanley Cup back in June 2025.

With nothing left to play for and a depleted roster, the Panthers were rag-dolled by the Penguins in consecutive outings, suffering 9–4 and 5–2 losses during a back-to-back in the City of Bridges. Not being used to such blowouts, the Cats responded in retaliation. It all led to Luostarinen unleashing his frustration with a dangerous high stick against Rakell, for which the NHL has now lowered the hammer with a hefty sanction.

Panthers embrace ‘ethical’ tank

Essentially, the Cats are playing for positioning in the upcoming NHL Draft Lottery. Panthers fans weren’t aware that was even in play until it was revealed that the first-round pick sent to the Chicago Blackhawks in the Seth Jones–Spencer Knight trade was top-10 protected. That means that if the reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champions finish in the bottom 10 of the standings, they will keep their first-round pick in 2026 and instead send their 2027 pick to the Blackhawks.

Thus, missing the postseason after making it to the Stanley Cup Final three years in a row doesn’t have to be so painful for Florida. If the Panthers come away with a top selection—let alone win the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes—it might be worth giving up on the dream of the first three-peat in the NHL’s salary cap era.

The achievement becomes even more impressive when compared to other all-time greats. Wayne Gretzky recorded 19 point-per-game seasons, Gordie Howe finished with 17, and Evgeni Malkin reached 15. Crosby stands alone at the top, reinforcing his reputation as one of the most consistently dominant players the NHL has ever seen.

Beyond the individual accolade, the timing could not be better for Pittsburgh. The Penguins continue to build momentum late in the season, and Crosby’s leadership has played a central role in their recent surge. With the playoffs approaching, his production remains the driving force behind a team that suddenly looks dangerous to make a serious push toward the Stanley Cup.

Sidney Crosby’s Penguins are ready to clinch a spot in the NHL playoffs

The Penguins are on a roll after an impressive week that has strengthened their position in the Metropolitan Division. They now sit with 96 points in second place, holding a seven-point advantage over the Islanders with just four games remaining. That cushion has significantly improved their playoff outlook.

Crosby’s production during this stretch has helped stabilize the offense while the rest of the roster contributes timely scoring. The 5-2 win over Florida reflected a team playing with confidence, structure, and urgency. As the postseason race tightens, that balance becomes crucial for sustaining momentum.

If the Penguins maintain this level, Crosby’s record-setting season may become more than just a personal milestone. His consistency, combined with the team’s late push, could define Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes and turn a strong finish into a meaningful postseason run.

“It’s an amazing number, for sure. For one team, it’s huge. I love playing here,” Malkin commented after the Penguins’ 9-4 victory over the Florida Panthers, via NHL.com.

Amid rumors about his future after this season, the fact that Malkin spoke in the present tense and emphasized that he has scored every point of his career with the Penguins speaks volumes. Much has been said and speculated about what’s next for Malkin. Now, the future Hall of Famer chimed in and made it clear where his mind is.

Malkin’s contract situation

Entering the 2025–26 NHL season on an expiring contract, many believed this would be Malkin’s farewell tour with the Penguins. Malkin’s production had dipped considerably, and the Pens seemed destined for the league’s basement. However, the rest of the NHL was in for a surprise, as Malkin and Pittsburgh turned it around.

With Pittsburgh on the verge of clinching a playoff spot, the core in the City of Bridges has proven it still has some gas left in the tank. Still, the Pens must make a decision. Malkin will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) this summer. The Russian has made it clear he’d like to stay in the Burgh, but that could change if the front office lowballs him.

Penguins are interested in re-signing Malkin

Though injuries continue to be a headache for Pittsburgh, the team is more than content with Malkin’s production in 2025–26. Thus, it makes sense why the Penguins could sign off on an extension. However, sooner or later, the Pens must face the music.

The unstoppable passage of time won’t be denied, and the Penguins cannot live in their dream bubble forever. At some stage, they must deal with the future, and that means moving on from Malkin and bringing in a new generation of players who can replicate at least a fraction of the success he had.

Kyle Dubas openly admitted the Penguins will have talks with Malkin, but all options remain on the table, including the possibility of both sides going their separate ways. If Malkin isn’t willing to take a pay cut, the Pens may be left with no choice but to call it a career in Pittsburgh. It would be shocking, but crazier things have happened. Until Malkin puts pen to paper on a new deal, nothing can be ruled out.

Even so, the loss exposed defensive issues that could become costly down the stretch. Tampa Bay capitalized on mistakes, and the Penguins struggled to slow down the Lightning’s offensive push, turning what had been a competitive game into a multi-goal defeat.

Despite the result, the Pens remain in a favorable position toward the Stanley Cup playoffs with only a handful of games remaining. The margin they built earlier in the week continues to keep them on track for a postseason berth.

Do the Penguins control their playoff destiny?

The Penguins currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 92 points. They hold a three-point advantage over the Islanders and a four-point cushion over Columbus. With six games remaining and considering their rivals’ schedules, three more wins would likely be enough to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

Sidney Crosby acknowledged the issues that surfaced in the loss while crediting Tampa Bay’s performance. “They’re a good team. We can’t make the mistakes that we made against them. We’ve got to make sure that defensively, we’re stronger. We just have to be better.”

Even after the defeat, the Pens remain in control of their own fate. If the Penguins tighten up defensively and take advantage of upcoming matchups, their recent cushion should be enough to carry them into the postseason without needing help from other teams.

“We’ll write our own story,” McLellan said, according to NHL.com. “There’s teams that are elevating right now and there’s teams that aren’t, and right now, we’re one of them that aren’t.” The coach acknowledged that the team’s drive and consistency have been lacking, leaving the Red Wings short in critical moments.

The Penguins, boosted by a goal and an assist from Egor Chinakhov, remain strong in the Metropolitan Division, winning three of their last four games. Detroit, meanwhile, has lost four of five, falling behind in the playoff race with just a handful of games remaining.

Red Wings’ struggles highlighted by early goals

Pittsburgh opened the scoring quickly, with Rickard Rakell netting his 20th goal of the season on the Penguins’ first shot. Anthony Mantha followed with his 30th goal of the year, and Chinakhov added a third before the end of the first period. Detroit’s John Gibson was pulled for the second straight game after allowing three goals on 14 shots, with Cam Talbot finishing in relief.

Detroit’s competitive lapses are part of a broader trend this season, with the team missing the playoffs for nine straight years. McLellan noted, “Some of it’s technique and skill too. But the will and the drive is something we could use a little bit more of right now.”

Silver linings amid defeat

Despite the loss, Dylan Larkin scored his 30th goal of the season, continuing a streak of five consecutive 30-goal seasons. Meanwhile, the Penguins adjusted without injured Bryan Rust, and Evgeni Malkin returned with an assist and five shots on goal.

With the Red Wings’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread, McLellan and his team must elevate both effort and execution if they hope to challenge the Eastern Conference wild-card spots in the final games of the season.

While the legendary center has missed the last four contests due to an undisclosed upper-body injury, there is a glimmer of hope for the PPG Paints Arena crowd. He returned to practice in a full-contact capacity earlier this week.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for this Tuesday night showdown. As the 2025-26 NHL regular season winds down, the Penguins find themselves in a heated battle for positioning within the Metropolitan Division.

What happened to Evgeni Malkin?

Evgeni Malkin is currently sidelined with an undisclosed upper-body injury sustained during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on March 22.

While the team has been tight-lipped about the exact nature of the ailment, head coach Dan Muse clarified that this is a new issue and not a recurrence of the shoulder injury that cost “Geno” significant time earlier this winter.

The injury occurred during a physical sequence late in the game, and though he initially attempted to play through the discomfort, he was moved to “day-to-day” status shortly after.

The veteran center had been in vintage form prior to the setback, serving as the engine for the second line and providing the secondary scoring the Penguins desperately need for their playoff push.

How many games has Evgeni Malkin missed?

Evgeni Malkin has missed the last four consecutive games since being scratched from the lineup on March 24. His absence has forced the team to shuffle their middle-six forward group, relying on younger talent and tactical adjustments to fill the void left by one of the most productive players in franchise history.

This latest stint on the injured list adds to a turbulent 2025-26 season for the Russian superstar. Earlier in the campaign, “Geno” missed 15 games due to a separate upper-body injury and sat out an additional five games due to an NHL suspension following a high-sticking incident.

Despite these interruptions, he has remained a point-per-game player when healthy, making his current absence even more glaring as the team fights for a wild-card spot.

When could Evgeni Malkin return?

Evgeni Malkin could return as early as tonight, March 31, against the Detroit Red Wings, though he remains a game-time decision. The most encouraging sign for Penguins fans was his participation in a full-contact practice this past Sunday.

Typically, when a player of his caliber sheds the non-contact jersey and rejoins the main group for drills, a return to game action follows within 48 to 72 hours.

The coaching staff opted to keep him out of Monday’s blowout win against the Islanders to ensure he was 100% ready for the “back-to-back” scenario. If he doesn’t suit up tonight at PPG Paints Arena, his next opportunity will come on Thursday, April 2, when the team travels to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Yesterday, the legend was key as the Penguins defeated the New York Islanders 8-3 in a pivotal game within the Metropolitan Division. Despite having little recovery time, he looked to be in very good form.

Now, the challenge will once again be very difficult at home against another team like Detroit that is involved in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. A victory would give Pittsburgh some margin heading into the end of the season.

NHL standings for the Pittsburgh Penguins

After the win against the Islanders, the Pittsburgh Penguins regained second place in the Metropolitan Division with 90 points and hold a one-point lead over New York and a two-point lead over Columbus. In the wild card race, they have also gained breathing room with a four-point advantage over the Senators.

How can the Penguins make the NHL playoffs?

The Penguins control their destiny to make the playoffs and, considering the remaining schedule for the teams involved, five wins in the last eight games of the calendar seems to be the ideal formula to clinch a spot without trouble. Even with four victories, the probabilities are very high.

“Sidney Crosby returns to the Penguins lineup against the Islanders,” Pittsburgh’s PR account on social media confirmed, @PenguinsPR.

The Penguins’ captain (lower-body injury) and Geno (upper-body injury) both practiced with contact and rejoined regular drills ahead of the trip to New York. However, the Pens are taking their time with Malkin. As for Crosby, he confirmed he would try to play against the Islanders, and he stayed true to his promise. Now, it’s all paid off.

Head coach Dan Muse had made it clear their availability would be decided close to puck drop, keeping their status firmly in doubt. That made this one of the most closely watched lineup situations of the night. Now, fans across the league will get to see Crosby back in action. And what better than in a crucial matchup in the Eastern Conference’s playoff race?

Crosby returns to face favorite victim

The Islanders would’ve loved for Crosby to miss the game at UBS Arena. Watching “Sid the Kid” take to the ice only brings back terrible, haunting memories for fans in Long Island. The Penguins’ star registers 140 points in his career against New York (44 goals and 96 assists), the most by any active NHL player against one club.

Moreover, Crosby averages 1.52 points-per-game against the Islanders. If the Pens ever needed their captain to lead them to victory, it might be tonight as they take on the Isles in a game for second place in the Metropolitan Division.

What injuries do Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have?

Sidney Crosby has been dealing with a lower-body injury, while Evgeni Malkin is recovering from an upper-body injury. Both issues have sidelined them in recent games for the Pittsburgh Penguins and remain the key reason behind their uncertainty prior to the visit to the New York Islanders.

Crosby suffered his injury after exiting a recent game following an awkward play, which led the team to rule him out shortly after. Meanwhile, Geno sustained his upper-body issue in a previous matchup and has missed multiple games since, with Pittsburgh opting for a cautious recovery plan.

Neither injury is currently viewed as long-term, but given the timing in the playoff race, the NHL team have been careful not to rush either player back into action before they are fully ready.

Malkin struggling to stay on the ice

Malkin has missed time recently for multiple reasons. Earlier this month, he served a five-game suspension after slashing Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin in the head during a game on March 5, an incident that resulted in a major penalty and game misconduct.

After returning from that suspension, he was able to rejoin the lineup, but he was later sidelined again due to an upper-body injury. Now back at practice and taking contact, his status will likely be determined shortly before the game.

“We saw what happened. I don’t think it does me any good or us any good by standing here and having excuses or pointing fingers. We all watched the same game.”

The Pittsburgh Penguins have dealt with similar frustrations at different points this season, especially in tight games where penalties and non-calls have shifted momentum. For example, almost all challenges going against them for goalie interferences.

Penguins dealing with adversity without Sidney Crosby

The Penguins have been navigating a lot of games in the last month without Sidney Crosby, whose absence has been noticeable in key moments. The captain missed the latest matchup against the Stars, but could be back soon.

What’s Penguins next game?

The Penguins’ next game is on Monday against the New York Islanders. It’s a direct matchup within the Metropolitan Division which will be crucial in the race toward the NHL playoffs.

Crosby downplayed the development but acknowledged the positive signs after testing his condition during practice. “It’s just day to day. It’s nice to get out there with the guys and see how everything felt. That’s how I’m taking it.”

The Stanley Cup champion emphasized that every remaining game carries weight, even if the Islanders matchup brings extra importance as a division showdown. He’ll try to be available. “They’re all important at this point. It’s a big race and a big stretch for us. As a player, these are the games you want to be in. These are big games.”

How long will Sidney Crosby be out with Penguins?

Sidney Crosby may not miss much time, as he could return on Monday against the Islanders after practicing with the team. The Penguins continue to list him as day to day, and early signs suggest he may have avoided another long-term injury, which would be a major relief during the final stretch of the playoff race.

Do the Penguins control their destiny to make the NHL playoffs?

Yes. The Penguins enter the contest just behind the New York Islanders in the Metropolitan Division standings, making the head-to-head meeting a potential swing game. Securing a top-three finish would guarantee a playoff berth, while slipping could push the Penguins into a crowded wild card battle. One thing is certain. They control their destiny.