Game Preview: 01.17.21 vs. Capitals

GM 3 | JAN. 17 | 12:00 PM ET | PPG PAINTS ARENA
WATCH: NBC | LISTEN: 105.9 The X, Penguins Radio Network
PIT: 0-2-0 (0 points)WSH: 2-0-0 (4 points)

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MATCHUP PREVIEW

The Penguins return home to the friendly confines of PPG Paints Arena to take on the Washington Capitals in their home opener. The Penguins picked up points in 11 of 17 games against Metropolitan Division opponents last season (8-6-3). Pittsburgh has been especially good versus Washington at home, where they've won six of their last eight games (6-2-0) dating back to Mar. 20, 2016. In those games, The Penguins are averaging 4.88 goals per game. Since the beginning of the 2015-16 campaign, no team has defeated Washington more than Pittsburgh (11 wins). An in-depth scouting report on our opponent is available
here
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RELATED LINKS
News: Pens Offer Fans 'Second-Screen' Experience, Starting With Home Opener
3 Things: Kapanen Update, O'Connor Practices and More
First Look: Washington Capitals
Watch: Jake Guentzel Speaks to the Media

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QUICK HITS

Pittsburgh is 27-15-10 all-time in home openers, including a 4-2-1 mark in its last seven.
Evgeni Malkin has 67 points (21G-46A) in 47 career games against the Capitals, which includes 15 points (5G-10A) over his last nine games versus them.
On Friday, the Penguins announced that defenseman Zach Trotman underwent successful surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and is expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.
Today, assistant coach Todd Reirden will coach against his former club, the Washington Capitals. Reirden spent six seasons with the Capitals from 2014-2020, serving as head coach for the final two seasons. He also won a Stanley Cup Championship with the Capitals as associate coach in 2018.
Last season, Evgeni Malkin (2G-2A) and Sidney Crosby (2G-2A) each had a team-best four points in three games against Washington.

BLUEGER 100

Today, Teddy Blueger is set to appear in his 100th NHL game. Through his first 99 games, Blueger has recorded 15 goals, 17 assists, 32 points and is plus-7. When Blueger hits the ice today, he will become just the sixth Latvian-born player in NHL history to skate in 100 NHL games, joining Sandis Ozolinsh (875), Karlis Skrastins(832), Sergei Zholtok (588), Zemgus Girgensons (489) and Raitis Ivanans (282).

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PLAYER INTERVIEW

Game Trigger Promotions

| The Milkshake Factory | Jake Guentzel goal | 1/2 off Jake's Shake | Mention in-store | Day following a Guentzel goal | | McDonald's | Goal during the 'Big Mac Attack' | Free Big Mac with purchase | Download app needed to redeem (select locations only) | 3 days following successful Big Mac Attack | | DICK'S Sporting Goods | Penguins home win | $10 off $50 | In-store or online with code from Penguins app | 7 days following win | | Partner | Trigger | Prize | Redemption | Active | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |

Donation Trigger Promotions

| Chick-fil-A | Penguins win | Local schools | 500 sandwiches donated per win | | First National Bank | Penguins goal | Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank | $200 per goal | | Giant Eagle | Penguins save | Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank | $8.71 per save | | Partner | Trigger | Beneficiary | Donation | | --- | --- | --- | --- |