GENO 1,200
Evgeni Malkin will skate in his 1,200th career game tonight against Vegas. The forward will become the second Penguin ever to reach 1,200 games, joining teammate Sidney Crosby (1,334 games played). Only 13 players in NHL history appeared in 1,200 career games and registered more points than Malkin at the time of game no. 1,200. Malkin will become the fifth Russian-born player in NHL history to reach the 1,200-game milestone.
Malkin enters tonight’s game with seven points in seven games (3G-4A) since returning from the 4 Nations Break. He is currently three assists shy of tying Henrik Sedin for the 12th-most assists with one franchise in NHL history.
RUSTY CLIMBING THE FRANCHISE RANKS
Bryan Rust will be suiting up for his 621st game as a Pittsburgh Penguin tonight against Vegas, which will tie Ron Stackhouse for the ninth-most games played in franchise history.
Rust currently ranks ninth in goals (193), 18th in assists (226), and 14th in points (419) in franchise history.
EVEN-STRENGTH BEAU
Anthony Beauvillier has been one of the Penguins' top even-strength offensive players this season, with 12 of his 13 goals coming at even strength. His 12 even-strength goals are currently tied for third on the team with Sidney Crosby.
KARL ON FIRE
Erik Karlsson has been on an offensive tear as of late. The defenseman has points in nine of his last 12 games, which includes a season long seven-game point streak which ran from Jan. 29-Feb. 23. Since Jan. 29, Karlsson is fourth in points among all defensemen.
FOLLOW THE LEADER
Head Coach Mike Sullivan is currently one win shy of becoming the 14th head coach in NHL history, and the first American-born head coach, to win 400 games with one franchise.
QUICK HITS
1) Sidney Crosby has points in eight of 11 career games against the Vegas Golden Knights, recording 10 points (3G-7A) total.
2) In four games against his former team, Cody Glass has two goals and one assist for three points. He has points in back-to-back games (2G-1A) against Vegas.
3) In two starts versus the Vegas Golden Knights, Alex Nedeljkovic has a 1-1-0 record with a 0.75 goals against average, .979 save percentage and one shutout. It is his lowest goal against average, highest save percentage and tied for his most shutouts against one opponent (min. 2 GP).
4) Newly acquired forward Tommy Novak has three goals and four points (3G-1A) in eight career games against the Vegas Golden Knights.
5) The Penguins own an overall record of 400-92-49 when both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin record a point in a game.
