After losing three straight games (0-3-0) from Nov. 18-24, the Penguins have won their past four entering the second of a five-game homestand, their longest of the season. Pittsburgh outscored the Buffalo Sabres 9-1 in a two-game home-and-home series on Dec. 1 and Dec. 2. The Rangers have won five of their past six games (5-1-0) and 10 of their past 13 (10-3-0). Goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who reportedly is unable to play because of the flu, helped that surge by allowing nine goals in his past five games (4-0-0). Pittsburgh defeated New York 5-4 in overtime at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 17 .
Players to watch
Rangers forward Chris Kreider has seven points (five goals, two assists) in his past six games. He was held without a point against the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 1, but had three points (two goals, one assist) in his previous game, against the Florida Panthers on Nov. 28. Penguins forward Sidney Crosby has 13 points (six goals, seven assists) during a six-game point streak. He has five straight multipoint games.
They said it
"If we're not on top of our game in all facets, both defensively and offensively, they can make us look real bad." -- Rangers coach Alain Vigneault "All the way from Lundqvist out, [the Rangers] are well built. They have a lot of good players. It's certainly going to be a challenge." -- Penguins defenseman Ian Cole
Georgiev was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Tuesday. ... Zibanejad exercised on a stationary bike at the Rangers' practice rink Monday. He is considered day to day. … Murray skated on his own with no pads before Pittsburgh's morning skate Tuesday. He is week to week with a lower-body injury sustained Nov. 27.
Stat pack
The Rangers have at least one point in five of their past seven road games against the Penguins, dating to Feb. 7, 2014 (4-2-1). … Malkin has three points (one goal, two assists) in his first two games back after missing four games because of an upper-body injury sustained against the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 18.
