Game Notes
Pittsburgh’s team faceoff win percentage of 54.9% is tied for second in the NHL behind the New York Islanders (55.4%).
Pittsburgh is averaging 35.0 shots per game, which trails only Colorado (37.5) for the highest average in the NHL.
The Penguins have allowed just two goals against in the first period of games all season, which is tied with Boston and St. Louis for fewest in the NHL.
Pittsburgh has three members of its roster – forwards Lars Eller and Matt Neito, as well as defenseman Ryan Graves – who have played for the Avalanche in their careers:
- Graves spent his first three seasons in the NHL with the Avalanche from 2018- 21. While with the Avs, Graves notched 46 points (14G-32A) and was plus-59 in 149 regular-season games. He had a career-high nine goals in 2019-20 and his plus-40 that season led the NHL.
- Nieto spent parts of five seasons with Colorado from 2017-20 and then again in 2023. He recorded 90 points (38G-52A) in 287 games with the Avalanche.
- Eller spent 24 games of the 2022-23 season with the Avalanche after being traded from Washington on March 1, 2023. He recorded three goals and four assists to end the season.
Captain Sidney Crosby enters tonight’s game one assist shy of cracking the top-15 on the NHL’s all-time assist list. Crosby (955A), who currently ranks 15th on the NHL’s all-time points list (1,508 PTS), is looking to tie former Penguin and Hall-of-Famer Mark Recchi, who accumulated 956 assists over his 22-year career.
P.O Joseph is looking to appear in his 100th career NHL game. Last year, Joseph set career highs across the board in games played (75), goals (5), assists (16), points (21) and plus/minus (+8).
One of Pittsburgh’s offseason pickups, Matt Nieto, enters tonight’s game one point shy of 200 in his career. Last season, Nieto split the 2022- 23 campaign between the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche, recording 12 goals, 12 assists, 24 points and two game-winning goals in 81 games.
Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic has been placed on injured reserve.
