The Pittsburgh Penguins play their final home game before the 4 Nations Face-off break, hosting the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena.
The Pittsburgh Penguins (22-24-8) play their final home game before the 4 Nations Face-off, hosting the New Jersey Devils (29-19-6) at PPG Paints Arena.
Tonight is the second of four meetings this season. The Devils shut out the Penguins on Dec. 21 when Jacob Markström recorded a 12-save shutout, Pittsburgh's lowest season shot total.
However, Markström is now injured, and New Jersey has only been 4-4-2 in their last ten contests, losing to the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Penguins have won two in a row, including a 3-0 shutout over the Nashville Predators on Saturday night. They are 4-6-0 in their last ten, which included a 3-4-0 road trip on the West Coast.
Between the Pipes
Alex Nedeljkovic is getting his fourth straight start and is coming off a 25-save shutout over the Predators on Saturday. Not only was it his first shutout of the season, but it was also the team's first.
He's 2-1-0 on this run with a .951 SV% and 1.33 GAA. Since the Penguins gave Nedeljkovic the starter role, he's 4-2-0 with a .940 SV% and a goalie goal (Jan. 17).
In four career games against the Devils, he's 3-1-0 with one shutout, 2.77 GAA and .911 SV%.
Opposing Nedeljkovic tonight will be Nico Daws, who has yet to start a game this season, making a 17-minute relief appearance on Sunday against the Sabres, turning away seven shots.
The 24-year-old from Germany will play in his 48th game tonight. He has a 19-22-1 record, a .894 SV%, and a 3.11 GAA. He's undefeated against the Penguins in one career start, making 37 saves in a 6-1 New Jersey win on Feb. 24, 2022.
Conversation Starters
- The Penguins are 3-7-3 against the Metro Division this season, getting outscored 13-26. However, the Devils are not playing like an elite team without Markström. Can Pittsburgh finally catch a break against a rival?
- Matt Grzelcyk will skate in his 500th game tonight. He's already established a new career high with 27 points in 54 games. Surprisingly, he's scored 13 points in 25 games against the Devils, the most against any opponent. Will he add to these totals on his milestone night?
- Rickard Rakell is officially on Team Sweden for the 4 Nations Face-off. He's got 14 points in the last 14 games, and since the initial roster announcements on Dec. 4, he's collected 29 points in 26 games. Will he continue his torrid pace against New Jersey?
Where Are They Now?
- Pittsburgh
- New Jersey
Penguins & Devils Leaders
- Goals: Rickard Rakell (23) / Nico Hischier (24)
- Assists: Sidney Crosby (40) / Jesper Bratt (43)
- Points: Sidney Crosby (57) / Jack Hughes (61)
- PIM: Michael Bunting (46) / Brenden Dillon (56)
- PPG: Michael Bunting (9) / Stefan Noesen & Nico Hischier (9)
- SOG: Sidney Crosby (152) / Jakc Hughes (199)
Per the Flames staff at NHL.com, here's a breakdown of tonight's lineup. (Subject to change)
FORWARDS
Rickard Rakell -- Sidney Crosby -- Bryan Rust
Michael Bunting -- Cody Glass -- Danton Heinen
Anthony Beauvillier -- Kevin Hayes -- Philip Tomasino
Bokondji Imama -- Blake Lizotte -- Noel Acciari
DEFENSE
P.O Joseph -- Kris Letang
Matt Grzelcyk -- Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves -- Vincent Desharnais
GOALIES
Alex Nedeljkovic
Joel Blomqvist
SCRATCHES
Matt Nieto, Ryan Shea, Jesse Puljujarvi
Tonight's game starts at 7:00 p.m. ET and is available on SN-PIT and MSGSN2.
