Second-round preview: Penguins vs. Capitals

4:44 PM ETWashington Capitals (1st seed, Metropolitan Division) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (2nd seed, Metropolitan Division)

When Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin met for the first — and, as it turns out, only — time in the playoffs back in the spring of 2009 we expected it would be the first of many such clashes between the two young faces of the National Hockey League. It hasn’t turned out that way, which is just another reason this second-round matchup will dwarf all the other series in terms of anticipation and star power. Seven years ago the two captains combined for 27 points in an epic, seven-game punch-counterpunch encounter. This year should prove just as compelling, as Crosby and Ovechkin are leading two of the most exciting teams in the NHL. In short, this one should be a classic. Or should we say … another classic?

How they win

Washington: The Philadelphia Flyers gave the Capitals a surprisingly difficult time in the first round, pushing them to six games. The Caps scored just two goals in the final three games of the series and will need to re-establish the offensive depth that helped them lead the Eastern Conference in goals per game during the regular season. That said, the Caps did score eight power play goals against Philly, so no one doubts — or should — that they can go off like a rocket. If netminder Braden Holtby, who had a 0.84 GAA, .968 save percentage in the first round, continues to play as he did against Philadelphia, the Capitals won’t need all that much offense anyway. It’s worth noting, however, that the Penguins lit up one of the greatest goaltenders of his generation, New York Rangers star Henrik Lundqvist, in their first-round victory, so Holtby is about to face a whole different level of shooter in this series — even if he is likely the best netminder in the playoffs right now.

Capitals goalie Braden Holtby allowed just five goals in six games against the Flyers in the first round. Alex Brandon/AP Photo

Pittsburgh: The Penguins blitzed the Rangers from all areas during their five-game, opening-round series victory and sent Lundqvist to the bench in Games 4 and 5. They lead the NHL with an average of more than four goals per game and have the postseason’s top power play unit, which is operating at an unbelievable rate of 38.1% — or almost twice the league average for power play efficiency. Thanks to four solid forward lines that are all capable of putting the puck in the …

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