Game Preview: 02.07.25 at New York Rangers

Goalkeeper Alex Nedeljkovic has been heated in the last few weeks and ranked fourth in the NHL in the savings percentage since January 17 (min. 5 GP).

Team Sweden restored normality when they announced on Tuesday that Forward Rickard Rakell has been added to the schedule of the next 4 Nations Face-off. Rakell has been on a tear this season with 46 points (24G-22A) through 54 games, and his team leading 24 goals rank tied to second place in the NHL among Swedish players. Stockholm, Sweden natives rank fifth in points among Swedish players this season.

Forward Kevin Hayes tied the game in the third period Tuesday night to help Pittsburgh earn a point against New Jersey. He now has six points (5G-1A) in 16 games since returning to the lineup regularly on January 3rd. During this time, only Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell have counted several goals for Penguins.

Sidney Crosby has historically been successful against the New York Rangers. In 87 career games against Rangers, Crosby has registered 40 goals, 68 assists and 108 points. Crosby’s average point-per-game (1.24) against rangers is tied to 10. In the NHL story (min. 25 GP) and no active player has more points versus new york than him. Crosby is currently the only active player in the NHL with 100 Plus points against at least three franchises (New York Islanders, 136; Philadelphia, 133; New Rangers, 108).

Crosby leads the charge for Penguins with 58 points (17G-41A) on the season. Forward is only two points away from becoming the ninth player in the NHL story to have 17 or more 60-point seasons, and only Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (17) has more 60-point seasons than Crosby among active players. Crosby also has four goals in his last five games, and with his next number he will tie Bobby Hull to 18th place on the list of all time goals. Finally, Crosby Assists have in three straight games (3A), and his 1,045 overall career assistants are four shy to tie Gordie Howe to 10th place on the list of all time.

Quick hits

1) Philip Tomasino has points in four of his five career games against Rangers (3G-1A).

2) Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Forward would the Koivunen have been named AHL-rookie of the month for January. The Koivunen spoke nine goals, five assists, 14 points and two hat tricks in 11 games during the month.

3) During the last four matches dating back to January 27, Penguins have allowed a league-low six goals against.

4) Penguins ranks sixth in the NHL in power game percentage (25.0%).

5) Anthony Beauvillier has 25 points (13G-12A) in 32 career matches against New York. These are the most goals and points he has recorded against any team