Crosby, Ovechkin enjoy rivalry ahead of 70th meeting

The rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin isn’t as heated as it once was, but the generational superstars are still relishing the opportunity to play 20 years into their respective careers.

“It’s special,” Crosby shared NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti. “It’s something that when you come into the league, you hope it can be something that lasts a long time. To be in the same division and for him to do what he’s doing right now, chasing the all-time record, it’s incredible.”

Friday’s contest between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals will be the 70th regular-season matchup between Crosby and Ovechkin.

Neither player shows any signs of showing despite being close to 40. Crosby has scored 15 points in 15 games this season and is two figures from 600 in his career. In October, he became the 10th player in NHL history to eclipse 1,600 points.

Ovechkin has eight goals and eight assists in 12 games. He is 34 pieces away from passing Wayne Gretzky’s record.

“It’s pretty amazing how much time flies,” Ovechkin said. “I think it’s just cool stuff because my first couple of years it was an Ovechkin-Crosby rivalry and everybody was blown away by it — the fans, you (the media). It would give you more motivation, more energy when you step on the ice.”

Both Crosby and Ovechkin were included in the latest edition of the NHL’s three stars of the week.

“When they had the stars of the week, I was like, ‘What year is it?'” joked Capitals winger Tom Wilson. “They’re still at the top of the league. I don’t think there’s been anything like it before — the two of them, the rivalry, the division rival — and I don’t think there will be again.”

Crosby has scored 90 points head to head with Ovechkin in the regular season, while the Capitals sniper has tallied 67.

The 5-8-2 Penguins will be desperate for a win on Friday night, while the 9-3-0 Capitals will look to continue a red-hot start to the campaign.