{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/ZlnmyoWH.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic discusses his return to Pittsburgh Penguins practice for the first time since his injury in late October.", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/ZlnmyoWH-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ZlnmyoWH.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/ZlnmyoWH.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZlnmyoWH-PleLi0gz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 182, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 332431, "filesize": 4737152, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZlnmyoWH-TPyFHjSz.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 272, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 477265, "filesize": 6801036, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZlnmyoWH-j3UGax3n.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 724, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 1290989, "filesize": 18396600, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZlnmyoWH-KwtrUhfG.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 114092, "filesize": 1625819 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZlnmyoWH-hoWDbBur.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 362, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 505919, "filesize": 7209353, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/ZlnmyoWH-TcGp53GP.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 544, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 830297, "filesize": 11831744, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Ever since joining the Pittsburgh Penguins at the 2022 trade deadline, Rickard Rakell has been one of the most consistent and useful forwards on the team." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "In his first full season with the Penguins, Rakell put up one of the most productive seasons of his career with 28 goals in an 82-game slate." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "To kick off the 2023-24 season, however, Rakell hasn’t had the same amount of luck; through 14 games, he only has four assists to speak of with no goals." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Obviously, things aren’t going well if you’re not scoring, and for Rakell, this is an true oddity." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Over his NHL career, Rakell has picked up over 20 goals five times, including a pair of 30-goal seasons." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Rakell even led the Penguins in power play tallies in 2022-23; he’s always been a goal scorer." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Despite not finding the back of the net, Penguins’ head coach Mike Sullivan believes the dam will break for Rakell soon enough." } }, { "id": "r2zl7ffx-mbjaekfk", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "twitter", "source": "https://twitter.com/PensInsideScoop/status/1725190616282234971", "embed": "https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?id=1725190616282234971", "caption": "" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“I think he’s getting an awful lot of looks,” Sullivan said. “His game is sound; he’s making plays, he’s around the net, a lot. He’s gotten a fair amount of grade-A looks.”" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Much in the way Reilly Smith started the season, the feeling is that once Rakell gets the monkey off of his back, things should be back to normal." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "“If he continues to stay with it the puck will go in the net for him,” Sullivan said. “Hopefully, once he gets that first one, the flood gates will open for him.”" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Rakell’s lack of goal scoring certainly isn’t due to a lack of effort, either; in the first 14 games, he’s recorded 39 total shots on goal." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Soon enough, Rakell will capitalize on something; sharing a line with Smith and Evgeni Malkin should wake something in him eventually." } }, { "id": "vl1flbpr-koux5zwy", "type": "embed", "data": { "service": "playlist.megaphone.fm", "source": "https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=STRAB8074601238", "embed": "https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=STRAB8074601238", "caption": "", "height": "200", "width": "100%" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Evgeni Malkin Returns for Penguins Morning Skate" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Backup Netminder Nearing Return to Lineup" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins vs. Devils: Continuing To Surge" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Multiple Penguins on Significant Point Streaks" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Penguins Penalty Kill Has Found New Level" } }, { "type": "list", "data": { "style": "unordered", "items": [ "Subscribe to Inside the Penguins on YouTube", "Follow Inside the Penguins on Twitter: @InsidePenguins" ] } } ] }

Penguins Forward Still Hunting for First Goal