Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby turn up ice back in the teams’ last meeting on Jan. 15 at Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Jaroslav Halak (25-9-4, 2.22 goals-against average, .918 save percentage) gets a second consecutive start as the Capitals host the Penguins in the first of this home-and-home, back-to-back set between the two teams. Pittsburgh will go with backup Jeff Zatkoff (9-3-1, 2.75 goals-against average, .910 save percentage).

Discuss the game right here and pass the time before puck drop with these reads.

Kuznetsov will start on the fourth line and other morning skate notes

Teammates try to manage expectations

Kuznetsov “ready to play hard hockey” | Extras from first interview

Boswell: Kuznetsov gives fans a reason to believe

Faceoff: 7 p.m., Verizon Center
TV: CSN | Radio: 106.7 FM

Here is the Capitals’ lineup.

Forwards
Laich-Backstrom-Ovechkin
Penner-Johansson-Brouwer
Chimera-Fehr-Ward
Kuznetsov-Beagle-Wilson

Defense
Alzner-Carlson
Orlov-Green
Hillen-Carrick

Goal:  Halak, Holtby.
Scratches: John Erskine and Ryan Stoa.
LTIR: Aaron Volpatti (left shoulder) and Mikhail Grabovski (left ankle)