Nov 8, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) and Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) shake hands after a puck drop ceremony prior to their game at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

In a season of ups, downs, and playoff disappointments, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ opponent for their final game of the 2024-25 season on Thursday is quite fitting.

The Penguins will take on the Washington Capitals in Pittsburgh, and it was confirmed that Caps winger Alex Ovechkin – who recently broke Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record – will be in the lineup despite the opportunity to rest him.

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It will mark yet another chapter in the Ovechkin v. Sidney Crosby rivalry, which is one that, likely, doesn’t have all that many chapters left.

And what started out as a bitter rivalry between the two players has blossomed into a friendship over the years.

“We’ve seen a lot of each other on the ice,” Crosby said. “But off it, whether it’s All-Star games or events or whatever it may be, just having the opportunity to get to know him a little bit more… I think that’s helped. You develop a friendship through those experiences and things like that.”

Ovechkin also pointed out the impact that both of them have had on hockey for the past two decades on the Pat McAfee show last week.

Ovechkin Proud Of What He & Crosby Have Done For NHL, Reiterates He’s Not Retiring Yet

Ovechkin Proud Of What He & Crosby Have Done For NHL, Reiterates He’s Not Retiring Yet When Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby came into the league, they didn’t exactly take kindly to one another, having been pitted against one another right from the get-go while the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins remained intertwined in a heated rivalry.

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“What we did to the NHL, it’s a tremendous thing,” Ovechkin said. “Me and him, what we do all those years, it’s great for us. People [are going to] talk about Crosby-Ovechkin, Pittsburgh and Washington, for maybe 20 or 50 more years.”

With first-place Washington destined for a first-round matchup with the Montreal Canadiens, the Penguins will not be in the postseason. However, on fan appreciation night, they’ll still give it all they can.

Alex Nedeljkovic gets the nod in goal for the Penguins. Here is the rest of the lineup:

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