Feb 15, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard (98) and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (87) chase after a loose puck in the first period at United Center. (Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/cf3514ce-2fbe-4d6c-9fd8-3309ac77bee3.jpeg] Feb 15, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard (98) and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby (87) chase after a loose puck in the first period at United Center. (Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images) There may have been some bigger stories dominating NHL headlines on Sunday, as Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin officially broke Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/latest-news/with-895-goals-a-huge-weight-comes-off-ovechkins-shoulders-and-a-new-record-legacy-is-set]. But there is another smaller story to look forward to Sunday, as two generational players - almost two decades apart in age - will square off for just the third time. The Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] will take on the Chicago Blackhawks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/chicago-blackhawks], which means Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby and Chicago Blackhawks superstar forward Connor Bedard will meet for the first time this season - and just the third time overall. Crosby is coming off of a three-goal, four-point performance in a 5-3 win against the Dallas Stars Saturday [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/game-day/crosbys-hat-trick-powers-penguins-5-3-win-over-stars], and he and his team will look to take the second leg of their back-to-back against Chicago before facing Chicago again on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. In two games against Bedard, Crosby has three goals. Bedard has two assists in his two games against Crosby and the Penguins. On the season, he has 20 goals and 59 points in 76 games, which is a bit of a dropoff from his production in his rookie season, when he registered 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games. He is tied for the team lead in points with Ryan Donato. - In other news, the Penguins will be without forward Philip Tomasino, who is being evaluated for an upper-body injury. Forward Joona Koppanen will take his place in the lineup. Crosby's Hat Trick Powers Penguins 5-3 Win Over Stars [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/15305284-ac44-46ed-8718-4232131fdcd6.jpeg] Crosby's Hat Trick Powers Penguins 5-3 Win Over Stars There is a certain NHL winger <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/washington-capitals/players/the-supporting-cast-ovechkin-tying-gretzky-isnt-just-a-milestone-for-him-but-also-for-his-capitals-teammates">about to break Wayne Gretzky's goal record</a> who is - rightfully - garnering a ton of attention across the league. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/game-day/crosbys-hat-trick-powers-penguins-5-3-win-over-stars] - Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will get the start in goal for the Penguins, and it will be his first start since Mar. 21 against the Columbus Blue Jackets [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets], when he surrendered just three goals on 47 shots. His last two appearances came in relief of Tristan Jarry in lopsided losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/tampa-bay-lightning] and the Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres/]. Here is the rest of the Penguins' lineup: Rutger McGroarty - Sidney Crosby - Bryan Rust Rickard Rakell - Evgeni Malkin - Ville Koivunen Danton Heinen - Blake Lizotte - Noel Acciari Joona Koppanen - Kevin Hayes - Connor Dewar Matt Grzelcyk - Kris Letang Conor Timmins - Erik Karlsson Ryan Graves - Ryan Shea It's Only Been Six Games. But Rutger McGroarty Is The Real Deal. [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/98f3fb67-129b-430f-8018-e3e124397e7e.jpeg] It's Only Been Six Games. But Rutger McGroarty Is The Real Deal. Yes, it's only been six NHL games for <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> rookie forward Rutger McGroarty. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/players/its-only-been-six-games-but-rutger-mcgroarty-is-the-real-deal] - The Blackhawks have already been eliminated from playoff contention, and they are 1-8-1 in their last 10 games. Their goal differential of minus-71 is the second-worst mark in the league, and they are 14-20-5 at home this season. Crosby is riding a 12-game point streak heading into the matchup, which includes 11 goals and 20 points. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwquDfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
