Rookie showdown part deux - The Annointed One vs. The REAL One

While I may be jumping on the Steelers bandwagon for a month, don't think I am going to go soft on the Pengyunz. The Capitals are up on Pittsburgh by eight points in the conference standings and have been playing pretty well as of late. Pittsburgh seems to be in a freefall with vets jumping ship weekly. Toronto's Globe and Mail even had an article last week (sadly blocked behind a registration wall) comparing the two franchises and concludes that the Caps are doing it the right way (building a young team around a superstar), while the Pens are doing the the old "Caps way" of building an old, overpriced team around a superstar. Also, Alex Ovechkin is having the superior season, on pace for over 100 points and he plays both sides of the ice. Sidney Crosby, while good, seems to take a few too many penalties, dives, and whines a lot.

Of course, when it comes down to La Coupe Hauxer, none of that matters, only games like tonight's count. It's time for the Caps to pick up some ground.

Oh and in celebration of Mario Lemieux's career, cheeseburgers and cigarettes for everyone!

UPDATE: The always excellent Off Wing Opinion takes a look at the Crosby hype as does Dave Fay in The Wash. Times.