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Malkin, Ovechkin set to renew rivalry

Jan 14, 2009 - 11:32 AM Washington (27-14-3) at Pittsburgh (21-19-4), 7:30 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- All-Stars Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin were the best of friends. Rumors are now swirling that the Russians are no longer on speaking terms.

The superstars will renew their rivalry Wednesday, when the Pittsburgh Penguins host the slumping Washington Capitals.

The friendship between the former Olympic roommates has gone south the past two years with Ovechkin aiming to make some big checks on the 22-year-old and reportedly taking a swing at one of Malkin's agents.

In their only other meeting so far this season, Malkin scored a goal and set up two others but the Capitals rallied from a three-goal deficit to post a 4-3 victory on October 16, despite Ovechkin not recording a point.

Malkin leads the NHL with 49 assists and 66 points. Ovechkin ranks third in the league with 54 points, behind Malkin and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who has 57.

Malkin and Jordan Staal each scored key goals in the second period and the Penguins produced a much-needed positive effort en route to beating the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2, on Tuesday.

Although the triumph kept Pittsburgh from falling further behind the pack of teams with playoff aspirations, the Penguins improved to just 8-15-1 in their last 24 games and are still looking up at the eighth spot in the crowded Eastern Conference.

Ovechkin was held scoreless in Tuesday's 5-2 setback to the Edmonton Oilers. It was Washington's third consecutive loss after winning 12 of its previous 13 contests.