Game Preview: 03.02.21 vs. PHI

MATCHUP PREVIEW

The Penguins return home for a five-game homestand that starts against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh has points in nine of its last 13 games against Philadelphia (7-4-2). The Penguins have points in three-straight home games against the Flyers (2-0-1) and are 7-2-1 over their last 10 home games versus them. Tonight's game begins a stretch where the Penguins will play 12 of their next 16 games at home.

QUICK HITS

Jake Guentzel has 12 points (4G-8A) in 13 career regular season games against the Flyers. If you include postseason games, Guentzel has 25 points (10G-15A) in 19 games.

Evgeni Malkin has 73 career points (28G-45A) in 60 career games against the Flyers. Only teammate Sidney Crosby (107PTS in 72GP) has more points versus Philadelphia among all active players.

Jake Guentzel (4G-7A) and Kris Letang (4G-7A) shared the point lead for Pittsburgh during the month of February. They were both also tied with Bryan Rust (4) for most goals on the team during that span.

Pittsburgh's seven wins after regulation are most in the NHL, and two more than the next closest team (Boston, Carolina and Chicago) Sidney Crosby is currently one overtime point shy of tying Alex Ovechkin and Patrik Elias for most overtime points in NHL history.

PLAYER UPDATES

Tristan Jarry will start in net tonight vs. Philadelphia. 

Coach Sullivan said Sidney Crosby will not be available for tonight's game because he will be on the NHL's COVID Protocol Related Absences List. Coach Sullivan: "Sid will not be available for tonight's game. He will be listed on the NHL's COVID protocol list. We didn't have a morning skate this morning due to the NHL's COVID protocol."

Coach Sullivan says Mark Jankowski will not be available for tonight's game. He skated on his own this morning but is still day-to-day.

Coach Sullivan on injury updates for Dumoulin and Rodrigues: "Dumo and Evan skated with the taxi squad this morning and they are making progress on the ice."

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled forwards Josh Currie and Drew O'Connor, it was announced today by general manager Ron Hextall. Forward Frederick Gaudreau (WBS) and defenseman P.O Joseph (PIT) have been re-assigned to the taxi squad. Read more here.

WELCOME BACK FANS

The Pittsburgh Penguins received approval from Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania State Department of Health to reopen PPG Paints Arena to fans at 15% capacity (2,800). Single-game tickets for the Pittsburgh Penguins' first seven March home games at PPG Paints Arena will go on sale to the general public Tuesday at 10 a.m. at www.ticketmaster.com/penguins. Penguins season ticket holders have exclusive access to a presale that ends tomorrow at 10 a.m. when tickets become available to the general public.

In addition to enhanced protective measures and contactless features throughout the building, many policies are in effect for the 2020.21 season. For more information on those policies, click here.

HOME SWEET HOME

Tonight the Penguins return home to PPG Paints Arena where they will begin a five-game homestand against the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers. Tonight's game begins a stretch where Pittsburgh will play 12 of its 16 games this month at home. The Penguins are 7-1-0 at home this season, ranking third in the NHL with a .875 winning percentage. Since the beginning of the 2019-20 season, only Philadelphia (31) and Tampa Bay (31) have more home wins than Pittsburgh's 30. Among active players, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin rank second and third, respectively, in points-per-game at home.

MILESTONES WATCH

Evgeni Malkin 1 game-winning goal from tying Mario Lemieux (74) for second place on the team's all-time game-winning goals list

Cody Ceci 3 assists from 100

Mike Matheson 5 points from 100

INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT AND CEO DAVID MOREHOUSE

Video: The Penguins welcome back fans to PPG Paints Arena

SCORE TRIGGER PROMOTIONS

PENGUINS WIN TRIGGER PROMOTIONS