Game Preview: 10.22.26 vs. Florida Panthers

TUNE-IN

Watch: SportsNet Pittsburgh

Listen: 105.9 The X and the Penguins app

-The Penguins return home for a three-game homestand as they take on the Florida Panthers at PPG Paints Arena (TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh; Radio: 105.9 The X).

-Pittsburgh enters tonight’s game with points in six-straight games versus Florida (4-0-2). 

-The Penguins have points in 26 of their last 33 meetings versus the Panthers (19-7-7 record) dating back to December 20, 2014.

-Pittsburgh is 13-3-1 in their last 17 home games against the Panthers. Going back further, they have points in 22 of their last 26 home games versus them (21-4-1). 

-Beginning with tonight’s game, Pittsburgh will play five of its next six games at PPG Paints Arena.

1) Erik Karlsson’s five power-play points are tied for first in the NHL among defensemen. 

2) Erik Karlsson (1G-10A-11PTS) is the only defensemen to lead their team in points this season.

3) Andrei Kuzmenko and Spencer Stastney each recorded their first points as Penguins on Monday in Utah with assists on Egor Chinakhov’s third period goal. Kuzmenko now sits two assists shy of 100 in his career. 

4) Tommy Novak picked up an assist on Monday against Utah. He has three assists over his last two games and now sits one assist shy of 100 in his career. 

5) Rickard Rakell recorded his first multi-point performance of the season on Monday against Utah (1G-1A). Since being acquired by the Penguins on March 22, 2022, Rakell ranks fourth on Pittsburgh in multi-point games with 54.

THE CAT’S MEOW

The Penguins went 3-0-0 against the Panthers in 2025-26 outscoring the then defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions by a 19-9 margin. Pittsburgh’s 19 goals for versus Florida was the most in the NHL last season:

NHL Goals For Leaders vs. Florida, 2025-26 

Team                GF

Pittsburgh        19

Tampa Bay      15

Buffalo             14

Carolina           14

Montreal          12

Ottawa             12

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin each led the Penguins with eight points (3G-5A) against Florida last season. Crosby registered two three-point performances (2G-1A on Oct. 23, 1G-2A on April 5) and Malkin recorded a hat trick and four-point performance in Pittsburgh’s 9-4 defeat of the Panthers on April 4 at PPG Paints Arena. Four of the league’s top seven point scorers against the Panthers last season were Penguins skaters:

NHL Scoring Leaders vs. Florida, 2025-26 

Player                      G     A      PTS

Sidney Crosby         3      5      8

Evgeni Malkin          3      5      8

Rickard Rakell         4      2      6

Erik Karlsson           1      5      6

Justin Faulk             3      3      6

Bobby McMann       3      3      6

Matthew Schaefer   2      4      6

CAT CALLIN’

Pittsburgh’s duo of Sidney Crosby (33G-43A-76PTS) and Evgeni Malkin (22G-38A-60PTS) 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:

Most Points vs. FLA, Active Players

Rank    Player                  PTS              Rank   Player                   PTS

1           Alex Ovechkin    92                  8         Brad Marchand     47

2          Steven Stamkos  83                  9         Patrick Kane         45

3          Sidney Crosby     76                 10        Erik Karlsson       43

4          Evgeni Malkin      60                 11        Brayden Point       40

T5       Nikita Kucherov    51                 12        Mitch Marner         39

T5       Victor Hedman     51                 T13      Kris Letang            36

7         John Tavares       50                  T13      David Pastrnak      36

Erik Karlsson (12G-31A) and Kris Letang (12G-24A) are second and fourth (tied) in points among defensemen against the Panthers all-time:

Most Points vs. FLA, All-Time Defensemen

Defenseman            GP    G      A      PTS

Victor Hedman         69     7      44     51

Erik Karlsson            45    12     31     43

Sergei Gonchar        69     10     32     42

Kris Letang               51     12     24     36

Zdeno Chara            78     12     24     36

Brian Leetch             48     8      28     36

DOORS OPEN: 6:00 PM, 7:00 PM PUCK DROP

Teamwork, inclusion, respect, and acceptance are at the heart of hockey. Tonight, the Pittsburgh Penguins will celebrate these defining principles at the annual Pride Game. Fans can stop by the photo op at Section 115 and visit with local organizations representing the LGBTQ+ community set up throughout the FedEx Level. Proceeds from the Penguins Foundation's fundraising efforts, including a game day auction, warmup pucks, and autographed pucks will support Proud Haven.