Capitals, Penguins in Game 7 since Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby
Washington has played nine with forward; Pittsburgh's been in six since drafting captain in 2005
by Brian Compton @BComptonNHL / NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor
The Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins will play Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Second Round at Verizon Center on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports).
The Capitals tied the best-of-7 series with a 5-2 win at PPG Paints Arena on Monday. Washington and Pittsburgh have been involved in a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs a combined 29 times, including three head-to-head (the Penguins won in 1992, 1995 and 2009), and a total of 15 since Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and Penguins center Sidney Crosby each began his NHL career.
[RELATED: Complete Capitals vs. Penguins series coverage]
Ovechkin was the No. 1 pick by the Capitals at the 2004 NHL Draft; Crosby was selected first by the Penguins the following year. Washington is 3-6 in Game 7 with Ovechkin, and the Penguins are 3-3 since drafting Crosby.
Here is a closer look at how the Capitals and Penguins have fared in Game 7 since each drafted their superstar:
CAPITALS
2008 Eastern Conference First Round vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Joffrey Lupul scored at 6:06 of overtime to give the Flyers a 3-2 win at Verizon Center.
2009, first round vs. New York Rangers
Sergei Fedorov broke a tie at 15:01 of the third period to give the Capitals a 2-1 win in Washington.
2009, second round vs. Penguins
Crosby scored two goals and had an assist to help Pittsburgh to a 6-2 victory in Washington.
2010, first round vs. Montreal Canadiens
Jaroslav Halak made 41 saves for the Canadiens to end the Capitals season with a 2-1 victory in Washington.
2012, first round vs. Boston Bruins
Joel Ward scored 2:57 into overtime to give the Capitals a 2-1 win at TD Garden. Braden Holtby made 31 saves for Washington.
2012, second round vs. Rangers
Roman Hamrlik got the Capitals within a goal midway through the third period, but Washington couldn't come up with the tying goal in a 2-1 loss.
2013, first round vs. Rangers
Henrik Lundqvist made 35 saves and the Capitals were shut out at home in a 5-0 loss.
2015, first round vs. New York Islanders
The Capitals held the Islanders to 11 shots on goal in a 2-1 win at Verizon Center.
2015, second round vs. Rangers
Derek Stepan scored 11:24 into overtime to give the Rangers a 2-1 win at Madison Square Garden. Lundqvist made 35 saves.
PENGUINS
2009, second round vs. Capitals
Crosby scored two goals and had an assist to help Pittsburgh to a 6-2 victory in Washington.
2009 Stanley Cup Final vs. Detroit Red Wings
Max Talbot scored two goals, and the Penguins won the Cup for the third time in their history with a 2-1 victory at Joe Louis Arena. Marc-Andre Fleury made 23 saves.
2010, second round vs. Canadiens
Halak made 37 saves to lift Montreal to a 5-2 win in Pittsburgh.
2011, first round vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Penguins were shut out by Dwayne Roloson, who made 36 saves to help the Lightning to a 1-0 win in Pittsburgh.
2014, second round vs. Rangers
Brad Richards' power-play goal in the second period was the difference, giving the Rangers a 2-1 win at Consol Energy Center. Lundqvist made 35 saves.
2016 conference final vs. Lightning
Crosby scored 40 seconds into overtime to send the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Final with a 3-2 win against the Lightning in Pittsburgh.