Lars Eller is no stranger to the rivalry between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals.
For seven seasons until last year’s trade deadline, Eller was a member of the Capitals and learned just what kind of heat was between them and the Penguins.
In just the second game of the 2023-24 season, the two teams will clash again, and this time Eller is on the other side of the matchup.
“It’s been like a second home for me for a long time,” Eller said. “Lots of good things to think back on, but now is a new chapter.”
This won’t be the first time Eller has played against the Capitals, as he spent the first seven years of his NHL career briefly with the St. Louis Blues, then the Montreal Canadiens, but it will be the first time since being dealt last year.
During his time with the Capitals, Eller won a Stanley Cup and was rarely absent from the lineup.
Eller knows the kind of rivalry that exists between the two teams and is ready for the new challenge.
“Those games are the ones you look forward to,” Eller said. “I certainly look forward to this one. Every divisional game is huge.”
The Penguins know what is on the line against their long time rival, especially after starting the season with a loss.
For the Capitals, it’ll be their first game of the season and to make it a heated matchup, there will certainly be a buzz for the game.
“As a player those are the ones you look forward to and enjoy the most,” Eller said. “Should be a good one.”
For those curious, Eller does firmly believe that Alex Ovechkin will one day break Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record.
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