Pregame Notes: Rangers @ Penguins 01.24.21

TODAY'S GAME
The Rangers play their fifth game of the 2020-21 season and continue a four-game road trip, as well as conclude a two-game set, today, Jan. 24, against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG 2, Radio: ESPN 1050 AM).
RANGERS VS. PENGUINS
- All-Time: 130-113-23-15 (72-54-9-7 at home; 58-59-14-8 on the road) - 2020-21: The Rangers are playing Pittsburgh in the second of eight games between the two teams, including the second of four meetings between the two teams at Pittsburgh. The Rangers have posted a 0-0-1 record, as the Penguins won the first meeting between the two teams, 4-3, in a shootout on Jan. 22 at Pittsburgh. The Blueshirts are also scheduled to play against the Penguins on the following dates: Jan. 30 (at MSG), Feb. 1 (at MSG), Mar. 7 (at Pittsburgh), Mar. 9 (at Pittsburgh), Apr. 6 (at MSG), Apr. 8 (at MSG). The eight games between New York and Pittsburgh are part of four sets of consecutive team games between the two teams at the same venue. - The Rangers and Penguins are in the same division for the 34th season, as well as the 22th consecutive season (1981-82 - 1992-93; 1998-99 - 2020-21) - Patrick (1981-82 - 1992-93), Atlantic (1998-99 - 2012-13), Metropolitan (2013-14 - 2019-20), MassMutual NHL East (2020-21). - The Rangers have earned at least one point in 20 of their last 29 games against the Penguins, dating back to Apr. 3, 2013 (13-9-7 record over the span). - Nine of the last 12 meetings between the Rangers and Penguins have been decided by one goal, and six of those 12 contests have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. In addition, 12 of the last 28 meetings between the two teams have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. - The Rangers have recorded nine power play goals in their last 12 games against the Penguins (9-for-29; 31.0%). The Blueshirts have also tallied 20 power play goals in their last 29 contests against Pittsburgh (20-for-85; 23.5% over the span). - Brian Leetch is the Rangers' all-time leader in games played (72), assists (70), and points (89) against the Penguins. Jean Ratelle is the Rangers' all-time leader in goals against Pittsburgh (23). Henrik Lundqvist is the Rangers' all-time leader in appearances (64) and wins (29) against the Penguins.

YOUTH SERVED
Each of the Rangers' three goals on Jan. 22 at Pittsburgh was scored by a player who is 22 years old or younger (Chytil, Fox, Kakko). The average age of a player on the Rangers' active roster this season is 25.5 years old, which is the youngest in the NHL. The Rangers have seven players 22 years old or younger on their active roster (Chytil, Fox, Howden, Kakko, Lafrenière, Lindgren, and Miller), and the Blueshirts have had more players who are 22 years old or younger play at least one game this season than any other NHL team.
TWO GOOD
The Rangers' two consecutive games on the road against Pittsburgh (Jan. 22 and Jan. 24) mark the first time the team is playing two consecutive team games, both of which are on the road against the same opponent and at the same venue, since Jan. 22, 1955 and Jan. 23, 1955 against Boston at Boston Garden.
SHOOTING GALLERY
The Blueshirts have recorded 30 or more shots on goal in each of the last three games (116 shots on goal over the span), including 50 shots on goal on Jan. 19 vs. New Jersey. New York ranks third in the NHL in shots on goal per game thus far in 2020-21 (35.0). The Rangers have also held their opponent to 28 shots on goal or fewer in each of the last three games and have allowed an average of 28.0 shots on goal per game thus far this season, which is tied for the seventh-fewest shots on goal against per game in the NHL.
SECOND HELPING
The Rangers tallied three goals in the second period on Jan. 22 at Pittsburgh. The Blueshirts have recorded seven goals in the second period in 2020-21, which is tied for the third-most in the NHL, and have outshot their opponents, 55-37, in the second period thus far this season.
DRAW IT UP
The Rangers have drawn 24 penalties and have taken 17 penalties through four games this season. New York's plus-seven net penalty differential is tied for the third-best in the NHL in 2020-21.
ROAD WARRIORS
Dating back to last season, New York has earned at least one point in 12 of its last 13 regular season road games (10-1-2 record). The Rangers ranked fifth in the NHL in points percentage (.603) and tied for seventh in the NHL in wins on the road in 2019-20.
RESILIENT RANGERS
The Rangers have posted a 1-0-1 record in the game following a loss in 2020-21. Dating back to their loss on Oct. 22, 2019 vs. Arizona, the Rangers have posted a 21-8-1 record in their last 30 games which have followed a loss.
HART-EMI
Artemi Panarin recorded his 100th career point with the Rangers while skating in his 73rd career game with the team on Jan. 22 at Pittsburgh. According to NHL Stats and Information, he tallied his first 100 career points with the Rangers in fewer games than any other player in franchise history (Mark Messier was previously the fastest player to tally his first 100 career points with the Rangers - 74 games). He is one of four NHL players who have registered 100 or more points since the start of last season (Draisaitl, McDavid, MacKinnon), and his plus-36 rating since the start of last season is the best in the NHL.
WHAT THE FOX SAYS
Adam Fox enters the contest with a three-game point streak (one goal, three assists), and he has logged at least 25:00 of ice time in each of the last two games, including a single-game career-high 26:02 of ice time on Jan. 22 at Pittsburgh. He is tied for second in the NHL in power play points (four) and is tied for third in the NHL in power play assists (three) in 2020-21. Since Dec. 31, 2019, Fox has recorded 29 points (four goals, 25 assists) and a plus-18 rating in 36 games; his 29 points are tied for the second-most among NHL defensemen, and his 25 assists and plus-18 rating are each tied for the third-most among NHL defensemen over the span.
PHIL THE THRILL
Phillip Di Giuseppe enters the contest with a three-game assist/point streak (four assists). Thus far this season, Di Giuseppe ranks among the NHL's leaders in several categories:
- 1st in the NHL in points per 60 at 5-on-5 (7.53) and assists per 60 at 5-on-5 (7.53) - 1st in the NHL (min. 3 games played) in SAT% (73.7%) - 1st in the NHL (min. 3 games played) in individual shot attempts per 60 at 5-on-5 (28.24) and individual shots on goal per 60 at 5-on-5 (20.71) - T-1st in the NHL in assists (4) and primary assists (4) at 5-on-5 - T-2nd in the NHL in even strength assists (4) and primary assists (4) - T-5th in the NHL in points at 5-on-5 (4) - 10th in the NHL (min. 3 games played) in hits per 60 minutes (18.53)