[panoo]

(Sports Network) - Two of the NHL's biggest stars will face off this afternoon, as Sidney Crosby and the streaking Pittsburgh Penguins welcome Alexander Ovechkin's Washington Capitals to Mellon Arena.

The Penguins have tied a season-high with five straight wins and are coming off Thursday's close decision over the visiting Montreal Canadiens. Evgeni Malkin scored the game-winning tally for Pittsburgh in the 6-5 shootout victory.

Malkin's heroics came just hours after the United States District Court dismissed the two complaints filed by the Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Super League against the young star and the Penguins. Metallurg filed the two suits against the Penguins after Malkin fled Russia this past August to sign with Pittsburgh. The Russian club claimed that they still had a valid contract with the 20-year-old Malkin.

Sergei Gonchar posted two goals and an assist for the Penguins, while Marc- Andre Fleury blocked 40-of-44 shots in goal.

Erik Christensen also scored for Pittsburgh, and Sidney Crosby added three assists. Crosby, the NHL's leading scorer with 82 points on the year, has now notched a point in eight straight contests. The 19-year-old phenom has compiled 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists) over that span.

Pittsburgh defenseman Ryan Whitney added an assist to extended his point streak to nine games.

The Penguins have won four straight at home and today's test wraps up a three- game stand at the Igloo. Pittsburgh is 14-8-4 overall at home this year.

Pittsburgh has 58 points on the year and is tied with Tampa Bay and Carolina for the final three playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

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[ThomasTomasz]

It should be a pretty good game. The Caps will be looking to get back on track from a period of struggles, while the Penguins are looking to keep their hot streak going. But, Ovechkin and Crosby are going to highlight this matchup. And why not? Both are arguably the best up and coming superstars, and are already stars in their own right.

I like Ovechkin over Crosby though. Not because I am a Caps fan though. I think Ovechkin is the more potent goal-scorer of the two, and is the player I feel plays with more grit in their own end. Crosby is a fantastic passer and playmaker, but I don't think he is going to be the pure scorer or defensive threat that Ovechkin will be.