Game Preview: 04.04.26 vs. Florida Panthers

The Penguins return for a back-to-back against the Florida Panthers at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is set for 5:00 PM ET. Doors will open at 3:30 PM.

Tonight is our first-ever Fourth Wing game. Fans can expect several in-game elements from this popular book series, as well as specialty food and beverage offerings.

This game will be available to watch on SportsNet Pittsburgh+. Fans can listen to the game on 105.9 The X and on the Penguins app.

Team Records: PIT (38-22-16), FLA (37-35-3)

The Penguins have points in 24 of their last 31 meetings versus the Panthers (17-7-7 record) dating back to December 20, 2014. Pittsburgh is 11-3-1 in their last 15 home games against the Panthers. Going back further, they have points in 20 of their last 24 home games versus them (19-4-1).

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Game Notes

QUICK HITS

Forward Bryan Rust is on a six-game point streak (4G-5A) against the Panthers which is tied for the longest active point streak in the league versus them. 

The Penguins have the most 30-point scorers (12) and 20-point scorers (15) in the league this season. 

Since March 22, no player in the league has more goals than Rickard Rakell (7). 

Defenseman Kris Letang had two assists on Thursday against the Lightning and has now reached the 30-assist mark for the 11th time in his career and first since the 2023-24 season. His 11 seasons rank tied for fourteenth most all-time (Victor Hedman, John Carlson, Ryan Suter and Börje Salming - 11). 

Egor Chinakhov has 16 points (7G-9A) over his last 15 games and has picked up 30 points (17G-13A) in 38 games since joining the Penguins. Since his Penguins debut on Jan. 1, no one has more goals than him on the team.

A-MUSE-ING

Head Coach Dan Muse has the Penguins playing some of the most consistent hockey in the league in his first season in the NHL. Under Muse’s guidance, the Penguins have already surpassed last season's win total, and the team has seen massive year-over-year improvement in multiple categories.

FRANCHISE ICON

Captain Sidney Crosby enters tomorrow's game with points in six of his last eight games played (1G-7A). Crosby enters tomorrow's game one point shy of tying Steve Yzerman for the seventh-most points in NHL history and second-most points with one franchise in all-time.

POINT MACHINE

Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins with 67 points (28G-39A) in 64 games. Crosby, who can play in a maximum of 70 games this season, is three points shy of ensuring he will average a point per game or better for an NHL-record 21st season.

RUST 500

Forward Bryan Rust enters tomorrow's game with points in 16 of his last 18 games (8G-14A) and is just one point shy of becoming the 11th player in franchise history to reach 500 points.

POINT STREAKIN’ 

Rickard Rakell has points in 14 of his last 15 games (10G-9A) and is currently on a six-game point streak (7G-2A). Only one other player has a longer active point streak in the NHL.

MANTHA’S CAREER YEAR

Forward Anthony Mantha enters tomorrow's game with points in 10 of his last 13 games (9G-5A) and has set career highs across the board in goals (30), assists (29) and points (59). During the Sidney Crosby Era (2005-Present), only two players on Pittsburgh have scored more goals than Mantha in their first season with the team.

SILKY SWEDE

Erik Karlsson has 25 points (9G-16A) in the last 19 games. He leads all defensemen in the NHL in points in that span.

DIRTY THIRTY

Sidney Crosby comes into tomorrow's game two goals shy of reaching the 30-goal mark for the 14th time in his career and the fifth-consecutive season. Only six players in NHL history have more 30-goal seasons than him currently and only Alex Ovechkin has more among active players (20).

MALKIN 1,400

Forward Evgeni Malkin enters tomorrow's game one point shy of 1,400 in his career. Malkin is looking to join Sidney Crosby (1,754) and Mario Lemieux (1,723) as the only players in franchise history to notch 1,400 points with the team, and he would also become just the 23rd player in NHL history to accomplish this feat.

SUPER ROOKIE

Ben Kindel enters tomorrow's game with 34 points (17G-17A) and 17 goals on the season, which ranks tied for fourth among NHL rookies. Four of his 17 goals have been game-winning tallies, and he’s one game-winning goal shy of the NHL single-season record for an 18 year old.

CAT CALLIN’

Pittsburgh’s duo of Sidney Crosby (32G-39A-71PTS) and Evgeni Malkin (19G-35A-54PTS) rank third and fourth among all active skaters in points against the Panthers, respectively. The Penguins have four of the top-13 point scorers against Florida among active players.