This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.
Around the Rink
What started off as a rivalry manufactured by the NHL, the Crosby-Ovechkin "feud" has bred a heated relationship between the Pittsburgh and Washington fanbases. While it's unquestionable that Crosby has found more success from a team standpoint, winning a Stanley Cup and two Olympic golds, Ovechkin has more individual accolades to show for. Everyone has an opinion as to who the better player is, but I think it's unfair to compare the two.
Crosby, on one hand, has been the greatest point producer in the post-lockout NHL, which is undoubtedly the most difficult period to score goals in modern history of the league. He's turned guys like Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis into 35- and 25-goal scorers, respectively, with his elite playmaking ability, but also scored 51 goals in 2009-10.
Ovechkin is the greatest goal scorer of the era, and may be the greatest goal scorer in the history of hockey. Ovi has scored at least 32 goals in every season of his 11-year career, including five 50-goal seasons and a 65-goal season. With 42 goals this season, Ovechkin has an outside chance of reaching 50 again, but if anyone can do it, it's him.
The most impressive part of Crosby and Ovechkin's time in the game is the sheer consistency that they've performed with since entering the league as rookies in 2005-06. Today, Crosby sits at third in the league in points, with 74 in 70 games (including 50 in his last 36) and Ovechkin looks set to win his sixth Richard Trophy, leading the league with 42 goals.
While I'm sure an answer as to who's better could be reached with enough debate, I'd much rather enjoy their all-time level of play and production while I can.
Projected Goalie Starters (all times Eastern)
Ducks (Frederik Andersen) vs. Jets (Ondrej Pavelec), 3:00 PM
Blue Jackets (Sergei Bobrovsky) vs. Devils (Keith Kinkaid), 5:00 PM
Capitals (Braden Holtby) vs. Penguins (Matt Murray), 6:00 PM
Flames (Niklas Backstrom) vs. Canadiens (Mike Condon), 7:00 PM
Wild (Devan Dubnyk) vs. Blackhawks (Scott Darling), 8:30 PM
Avalanche (Calvin Pickard) vs. Oilers (Cam Talbot), 9:30 PM
Coyotes (Mike Smith) vs. Sharks (James Reimer), 10:00 PM
For updates later in the day, check our Projected Goalies Grid.
Injury News for Teams Playing Sunday
Anaheim Ducks
Chris Stewart, RW (jaw) - could miss an additional three weeks
Nate Thompson, C (lower body) - appears to be a doubt for Sunday
Sami Vatanen, D (upper body) - also looks doubtful
Winnipeg Jets
Joel Armia, RW (lower body) - out indefinitely
Grant Clitsome, D (back) - out for the season
Nikolaj Ehlers, LW (eye) - remains sidelined for the time being
J.C. Lipon, RW (upper body) - questionable Sunday
Bryan Little, C (back) - to miss the remainder of the season
Anthony Peluso, RW (shoulder) - sidelined until the summer
Mark Stuart, D (hand) - could return before the end of the month
Columbus Blue Jackets
David Clarkson, RW (back) - status uncertain for Sunday
Jack Johnson, D (shoulder) - out for the year
Curtis McElhinney, G (knee) - underwent season-ending surgery Saturday
New Jersey Devils
Michael Cammalleri, LW (hand) - could miss the rest of the season
Patrik Elias, LW (knee) - remains out indefinitely
Jacob Josefson, C (hand) - has a chance to play Sunday
David Schlemko, D (upper body) - questionable Sunday
Cory Schneider, G (knee) - may be nearing a return
Jiri Tlusty, LW (wrist) - out for the season
Jordin Tootoo, RW (upper body) - unlikely to play Sunday
Washington Capitals
John Carlson, D (lower body) - to miss out on Sunday's contest
Pittsburgh Penguins
Beau Bennett, RW (upper body) - unclear as to when he may return
Ben Lovejoy, D (upper body) - activated from IR on Saturday, but status uncertain for Sunday
Evgeni Malkin, C (upper body) - out for the rest of the regular season
Kevin Porter, C (ankle) - will also miss the rest of the regular season
Scott Wilson, LW (lower body) - out Sunday
Calgary Flames
Sam Bennett, LW (upper body) - doubtful Sunday
Karri Ramo, G (knee) - out for the season
Ladislav Smid, D (neck) - sidelined indefinitely
Dennis Wideman, D (arm) - to miss the rest of the season
Montreal Canadiens
Mark Barberio, D (concussion) - out indefinitely
Daniel Carr, LW (knee) - could return before the end of the season
David Desharnais, C (foot) - without a timetable for his return
Brian Flynn, C (lower body) - likely to miss the rest of the month
Brendan Gallagher, RW (groin) - could return within a week's time
Tom Gilbert, D (knee) - out for the season
Jeff Petry, D (lower body) - also out for the season
Carey Price, G (leg) - has been practicing with full gear in recent weeks
P.K. Subban, D (neck) - out Sunday
Minnesota Wild
Ryan Carter, LW (upper body) - to miss Sunday's game
Darcy Kuemper, G (upper body) - status uncertain for Sunday
Jason Pominville, RW (lower body) - doubtful Sunday
Chicago Blackhawks
Corey Crawford, G (upper body) - unclear as to whether he'll play Sunday
Marcus Kruger, C (wrist) - began practicing last week
Colorado Avalanche
Matt Duchene, C (knee) - questionable Sunday
Eric Gelinas, D (elbow) - out indefinitely
Nathan MacKinnon, C (knee) - no word on whether he'll be able to play Sunday
Brad Stuart, D (back) - unlikely to play again this season
Jesse Winchester, LW (concussion) - out indefinitely
Edmonton Oilers
Brandon Davidson, D (lower body) - likely to miss an extended period
Andrew Ference, D (hip) - out for the season
Eric Gryba, D (knee) - unclear when he'll return
Oscar Klefbom, D (infection) - nearing a return to the lineup
Adam Pardy, D (hand) - resumed practicing Tuesday
Benoit Pouliot, LW (shoulder) - could miss the remainder of the season
Arizona Coyotes
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D (upper body) - doubtful Sunday
Anders Lindback, G (Achilles) - out for the season
Joe Vitale, C (concussion) - to miss the remainder of the season
San Jose Sharks
Matthew Nieto, LW (hand) - to miss an extended period
Matt Tennyson, D (head) - remains out indefinitely
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, D (lower body) - questionable Sunday
Hot
Mark Giordano, D, CGY - The Flames and Giordano haven't found the same levels of success this year compared to last, but the Calgary captain has been on an absolute tear of late. In his last 10 games, Giordano has four goals and 11 points, bringing his season totals up to 19 goals and 48 points. Currently riding a three-game goal streak, expect Giordano to get to 20 goals in the near future.
Devante Smith-Pelly, RW, NJ - Much was expected of Smith-Pelly when he entered the league, but he seems to be putting his game together in New Jersey, his third team in two seasons. Smith-Pelly was traded to the Devils on Feb. 29 and has tallied six goals and nine points in eight games after producing six goals and 12 points in 46 games with Montreal. In addition, Smith-Pelly's play has earned him a four minute jump in average time on ice compared to his stint in Montreal, as well as a regular spot on the power play.
Cold
John Mitchell, C, COL - Normally it wouldn't be noteworthy if John Mitchell hadn't scored in seven games, but with some injuries down the middle of the lineup, Mitchell finds himself as the team's number one center at the moment. Having reached double-digit goal tallies in the last three seasons (and looks to do so again this year, already scoring nine goals), Mitchell does have a good release, but taking a chance on Mitchell in an enhanced role may not work out for fantasy owners.
Recommended Pickup
Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, CBJ - In just his second NHL game, Bjorkstrand lead the Jackets to a 6-3 win over New Jersey with two third period goals, including the game winner. The 20-year-old Dane (just the 12th Danish player to appear in an NHL game) has boatloads of offensive ability and has the potential to tally some serious point totals down the stretch when the entirety of the Blue Jackets' schedule is filled with meaningless games.
