MATCHUP PREVIEW
The Penguins continue along their five-game homestand with a Sunday night matchup against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena for the 3rd Annual Her Hockey Day, presented by 84 Lumber. Pittsburgh has points in 10 of its last 11 games versus New York (7-1-3) and is 11-3-3 in its last 17 games versus the Rangers. Pittsburgh also has points in five-straight home games against New York (4-0-1). The Penguins are scheduled to play 12 home games during the month of March. It is the most home games played in a calendar month in franchise history, and second-most in NHL history.
QUICK HITS
Tonight, the Penguins’ conclude their second set of back-to-back games this season. Pittsburgh is scheduled to have nine sets of back-to-back games in 2020-21. Thus far, the Penguins are 2-1-0 in back-to-backs (2-0-0 the first night; 0-1-0 the second night).
Forward Kasperi Kapanen enters tonight’s game with points in five of his last seven games versus New York (1G-5A).
Evgeni Malkin has 18 points (8G-10A) in his last 15 home games against the Rangers. Pittsburgh has picked up points in 12 of those 15 games (10-3-2).
Jared McCann scored the game-winning goal yesterday, giving him a three-game point streak (2G-1A) and four points in five games (3G-1A) since returning to the lineup from injury. The tally was McCann’s first game-winning goal since Jan. 20, 2020 at Colorado.
The Penguins are averaging 4.11 goals per game over their last nine home games against the Rangers dating back to March 3, 2016.
HOME COOKIN’
The Penguins proved again why they are one of the NHL’s best at home, improving to 9-2-0 at PPG Paints Arena this season after yesterday’s win against Philadelphia. Pittsburgh’s nine wins are tied for the second-most in the NHL. Going back further to the 2015-16 campaign, the Penguins have the most home wins with 142. Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 13 points (3G-10A) in 10 games while Bryan Rust‘s seven home goals in 11 games leads the way for Pittsburgh and are tied for the seventh-most in the NHL.
POINT STREAKIN’
Pittsburgh has multiple players who enter tonight’s game with home point streaks:
Evgeni Malkin has points in five-straight home games (1G-6A). A point tonight can give him his first six-game home point streak since his six-game home streak from Dec. 27, 2018-Jan. 30, 2019 (8A).
Jared McCann has points in each of his last five home games (4G-1A) after going pointless in his first two contests at PPG Paints Arena.
Jake Guentzel has assists in four-straight home games (5A) and points in eight of 11 home games this season. Last year, Guentzel had points in 18 of 22 games at PPG Paints Arena.
PLAYER INTERVIEW
Video: Tanev speaks with the media.
SCORE TRIGGER PROMOTIONS
PENGUINS WIN TRIGGER PROMOTIONS
HOCKEY DAY IN AMERICA™ PRESENTED BY DISCOVER ®
Today’s Penguins game is part of Hockey Day in America™ presented by Discover®. In support of Hockey Day in America™ and in a commitment to empowering a brighter future for all, Discover® is partnering with the NHL® to bring hockey and skating to more communities than ever before! Last weekend, to celebrate Discover®’s commitment, the Pens Foundation and the City of Pittsburgh Citiparks department hosted a free skate at Schenley Park Ice Rink, giving families the chance to try skating for free.