"While Alex Ovechkin will not play tonight due to a lower-body injury, the greatest goal-scorer in NHL history did make one appearance in Chocolatetown exactly 20 years ago to the day. Ovechkin, then a 20-year-old rookie, suited up in a September 25, 2005 preseason game against the Penguins - his first ever matchup against Pittsburgh. The exhibition game marked the first of three against the Pens, the Caps' biggest rival, before the start of the regular season."
"Future Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury got the start in net from then Penguins head coach Ed Olczyk, marking the French Canadian's first career game against Ovechkin. Olie Kolzig and Frederic Cassivi split duties in goal for Capitals' head coach Glen Hanlon. Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux did not play for the Penguins, but current TNT analyst Paul Bissonnette got a jersey."
"The Capitals beat the Penguins that night 3-2 in front of 6,216 fans. Washington scored all their goals on the power play, receiving two tallies from Brian Willsie and the game-winner from Jeff Halpern. Jamie Heward led all players with three points, notching assists on all three Caps' goals scored with an extra man. The Capitals outshot Pittsburgh 40 to 26."
Washington Capitals will play at Hershey's Giant Center for only the third time in franchise history, with prior outings on September 24, 2006 (3-1 loss to New Jersey) and September 25, 2005 (3-2 win over Pittsburgh). Alex Ovechkin, sidelined tonight with a lower-body injury, previously appeared at Hershey on September 25, 2005 as a 20-year-old rookie against the Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury started for Pittsburgh while Olie Kolzig and Frederic Cassivi split net duties for Washington. Washington scored all three goals on the power play, with Brian Willsie netting two and Jeff Halpern delivering the game-winner. Jamie Heward recorded three assists and the Capitals outshot Pittsburgh 40-26.
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