The Capitals look to force a Game 7 while the Penguins hope to hold down home ice and end the series when the lights come up on the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh as part of the Stanley Cup playoffs for Game 6 on Tuesday.
Washington took Game 1 of this series and then dropped three straight to Pittsburgh before staving off elimination on home ice to force a Game 6. The Capitals will have to win two straight to overcome a 3-1 series deficit and advance.
Pittsburgh blew a 3-1 series lead against the New York Rangers two postseasons ago, but its hoping to knock off President Trophy-winning Washington, which owns a sordid history of postseason struggles.
Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring on the man advantage in Game 5 for the Capitals for his club-leading fifth goal of the playoffs, while T.J. Oshie also netted his fifth tally and Justin Williams added his second in the contest. Ovechkin has five points in the series.
Two of Washington's goals came on the power play, which was stagnant heading into the game. Jon Carlson leads the team in assists (7) and points (11) this postseason.
Brooks Orpik is set to return from a three-game suspension for the Capitals after the ban was laid on him following a Game 2 hit on Olli Maatta back on April 30. Maatta (upper-body) was injured on the hit and has also missed three games, but is a game-time decision for Tuesday.
"If [Maatta] plays, he's a very good player," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said via NHL.com. "He's a very smart player ... I think he has good awareness on both sides of the puck. He passes the puck well. He can join the rush. He has good poise."
Chris Kunitz lit the lamp for the first time in these playoffs, notching the lone goal for the Penguins in Game 5. Patrick Hornqvist has a team-leading five goals entering Game 6, while captain Sidney Crosby paces Pittsburgh with 10 points.
The Penguins will face a Capitals team that is excited to have Orpik back on defense.
"You never want to go into a series missing some pieces," Capitals coach Barry Trotz told NHL.com. "They're going to put their best game out. We're going to put our best game out. And whatever happens, happens."
Braden Holtby will man the crease for Washington after going 6-5-1 in these playoffs with a 1.53 goals-against average and leading the league with a .947 save percentage. Holtby stopped 30 of 31 shots faced in Game 5.
Pittsburgh counters with rookie Matt Murray, who has yielded three goals or less in five of his first eight playoff games and enters with a 6-2-0 record along with a 1.96 GAA and a .937 save percentage -- both which rank fourth in the postseason. Murray, 21, allowed three goals on 19 shots in Game 5.
Game Preview & Live Stream
Details: Capitals at Penguins Game 6
Venue: Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Radio: Washington (WTKT 1460); Pittsburgh (105.9 WXDX)
Series: Penguins lead 3-2.
Prediction: Our predictions for this series can be found here.
Betting Odds: The latest betting odds can be found here.
Watch Online: This game can be live streamed for free here.
