1. Malkin, Hagelin updates
Center Evgeni Malkin and winger Carl Hagelin were the only two absent players from the team's practice session.
"They are both day-to-day," head coach Mike Sullivan said.
Malkin missed Game 6 after suffering a lower-body injury during Game 5 of the First Round against Philadelphia. Hagelin (upper-body) left Game 6 in the second period after receiving a high body check from Philadelphia's Claude Giroux.
2. Schedule??
The entire National Hockey League is in limbo, waiting for the league to announce the schedule for the slate of the games for the Second Round.
Toronto and Boston will play Game 7 of its First Round series on Wednesday night in Beantown. In the meantime, the Pens are just preparing and awaiting word on when they'll start their series with Washington.
"I know Round One is not over so I'm still watching some hockey," said defenseman Kris Letang, who celebrated his 31st birthday today. "The schedule goes by the TV deals, basketball playoffs. It's out of my hands. I just come to the rink, practice and try to get better."
3. PK
One of the most intriguing matchups to watch in this series will be the Capitals power play against the Pens penalty kill. The Caps clicked for 33.3 percent in the First Round against Columbus. Washington's power play ranked 7th during the regular season at 22.5 percent and is dangerous.
"Our discipline is going to have to be at its very best. We're going have to be diligent in that regard so we don't give Washington's power play too many opportunities," Sullivan said. "We know we're going to have our hands full. It's a big challenge. But I believe our guys are up to that challenge."
The Pens' PK was up to the challenge when facing Philadelphia - a highly skilled power play - in Round One. Pittsburgh went 19 for 21 through the six-game series. And they hope to carry over that success into the Second Round.
"Being on the same page. That's the most important thing we did against Philadelphia. We had good chemistry on the penalty kill. We'd like to continue that," center Riley Sheahan said. "I think putting pressure on their guys. They have a lot of skilled guys that can make plays. (Alex) Ovechkin can shoot it. Try to limit their time with the puck, pressure them when you can."
The Pens will want to key in on Ovechkin. He takes his usual position above the circle and likes to use his patented one-timer to connect for goals. It worked 17 times in the regular season, and 3 times already in the playoffs.
"When they do get on the power play we're going to have to be aware of Ovechkin and his shot," Sullivan said. "He doesn't need a lot of time and space to get it off. He's dangerous when he's in that area of the rink."
