Rangers at Penguins
Sidney Crosby has freed himself from the shackles of a rare offensive slump in a big way, answering one goal in 15 contests with six tallies spread over five consecutive multi-point performances. The two-time Hart Trophy winner recipient carries an overall six-game point streak into Tuesday's contest as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena.
"When he plays that way, I think his energy, his compete level, trickles down the bench. That's the influence he has on our team," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "As a result, I think we're getting a more complete game, a more competitive game throughout our lineup when Sid's on his game the way he is right now." Crosby scored and set up a goal as Pittsburgh posted its season-high fourth straight win in a 5-1 rout of Buffalo, and also tallied with 56 seconds remaining in regulation of a 5-4 overtime victory versus the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 17. New York, which skated to a 5-1 rout of Carolina on Friday, has outscored the opposition 24-11 en route to winning five of its last six games. Michael Grabner, who will play in his 500th career game on Tuesday, collected his fifth career hat trick in that encounter and also tallied in the first meeting versus Pittsburgh.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, Sportsnet, MSG (New York), AT&TSportsnet-Pittsburgh
ABOUT THE RANGERS (14-10-2): J.T. Miller grew up as a Penguins fan while living in East Palestine, Ohio, but the 24-year-old readily took it out in his childhood favorite team with a goal and two assists in the first encounter. Miller has answered a five-game point drought by scoring a goal and setting up three others in his last five. David Desharnais has erupted for four goals and an assist in his last three outings versus Pittsburgh and has 11 points (five goals, six assists) in his last 13 encounters with the club.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (15-10-3): Evgeni Malkin set up three goals before scoring 58 seconds into overtime in the first encounter versus New York. Malkin joined Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist and former Ranger Carl Hagelin in scoring both versus New York as well as the last contest against Buffalo. The offense has been welcomed by Tristan Jarry, who has stepped in for the injured Matt Murray and stopped 107 of 112 shots during his four-game win streak.
OVERTIME
1. New York G Henrik Lundqvist has started each of his last 14 games, winning an NHL-best 11 to go along with a .927 save percentage in that stretch.
2. Kessel scored a goal and set up two others in the first meeting with the Rangers and has 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 40 career meetings.
3. New York RW Mats Zuccarello has recorded 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) in his last 14 contests.