COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS NOTES:
Dec. 6, 2022 Game No. 24 (8-13-2, 18 pts.)
at Pittsburgh Penguins (13-8-4, 30 pts.), PPG Paints Arena Road Game No. 8 (2-4-1, 5 pts.) The Blue Jackets Press Box website, which includes game notes, stats, releases and video/audio clips as well as the 2022-23 Media Guide can be accessed at bluejackets.com/pressbox. Follow @BlueJacketsPR on Twitter for comprehensive information and updates on the team.
THE LAST GAME: DEC. 4, 2022 – CBJ 2 vs. DET 4
CBJ Goal Scorers: PP – Bjork (2), Johnson (6)
DET Goal Scorers: Czarnik (2), PP – Kubalik (10), PP – Raymond (7), Copp (3)
Goalies: CBJ – Korpisalo (31/35; 56:42); DET – Husso (32/34; 60:00)
CBJ PP: 1/3; PK: 3/5 | Shots: CBJ: 34 / DET: 35
3 Stars: 1. Copp, DET; 2. Hronek, DET; 3. Jenner, CBJ
Noteworthy: Both CBJ’s goals were scored by rookies… Jenner tallied his 5th multi-point/2nd multi-assist game of the season (0-2-2) to extend his points streak to 3-straight games (1-3-4)… Gaudreau recorded his team-leading 18th assist of the campaign, while extending his assists streak to 4 consecutive games (1-7-8)… Johnson scored to make it 3-2 DET 1:58 into the 3rd and to give him points in 2-straight contests (1-1-2)… Bjork scored his 1st career NHL PPG… Roslovic tallied an assist for a 2nd consecutive game (0-2-2).
OhioHEALTH INJURY REPORT
Danforth (torn labrum); Placed on Injured Reserve (Oct. 25); 6 months (17 games)
Boqvist (broken foot); Placed on Injured Reserve (Oct. 26); 6 weeks (15 games)
Voracek (upper body); Placed on Injured Reserve (Nov. 4); out indefinitely (12 games)
Blankenburg (ankle); Placed on IR (Nov. 10); 6-8 weeks (10 games)
Werenski (torn labrum); Placed on IR (retro to Nov. 10); Expected to miss rest of regular season (10 games)
Bean (shoulder); Placed on IR (retro to Nov. 15); out indefinitely (8 games)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 128
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Dec. 5 Recalled Marchenko from Cleveland (AHL) and assigned Fix-Wolansky to Cleveland (AHL)
Dec. 1 Activated Laine and Merzlikins off IR and assigned Tarasov to Cleveland (AHL)
Dec. 1 Signed 2022 2nd round pick Luca Del Bel Belluz and 2021 5th round pick James Malatesta to 3-year entry level contracts
Nov. 29 Assigned Sweezey to Cleveland (AHL)
Nov. 28 Recalled Berni from Cleveland (AHL) and assigned Gaunce to AHL club.
Nov. 25 Signed 2022 third round pick Jordan Dumais to three-year entry level contract
Nov. 24 Recalled Meyer from Cleveland (AHL) and assigned Bemstrom to Cleveland (AHL)
Nov. 20 Placed Merzlikins on Injured Reserve retroactive to Nov. 15 and recalled Fix-Wolansky from Cleveland (AHL)
TONIGHT’S GAME BROADCAST INFO
7pm ET | Bally Sports Ohio | 97.1 The Fan
AGAINST THE PENGUINS
2022-23 Series: 0-1-0 (0-0-0 at PIT)
2021-22 Series: 0-4-0 (0-2-0 at PIT)
All-Time Series: 14-25-0-8 (4-15-0-4 at PIT)
Last 10 (Overall | Road): 2-7-1 | 0-6-4
All-Time GF/GA: 122/150
All-Time SF/SA: 1,428/1,558
All-Time PP: 26-of-166
All-Time PK: 125-of-179
THE LAST GAME: OCT. 22, 2022 – CBJ 3 vs. PIT 6
CBJ Goal Scorers: Jenner (1), SHG – Roslovic (1), Johnson (1)
PIT Goal Scorers: Archibald (1), Rutta (2), Heinen (2), Crosby (3), Heinen (3), McGinn (1)
Goalies: CBJ – Merzlikins (33/39; 60:00); PIT – Jarry (29/32; 59:18)
CBJ PP: 0/1; PK: 3/3 | Shots: CBJ: 32 / PIT: 39
3 Stars: 1. Crosby, PIT; 2. Heinen, PIT; 3. Archibald, PIT
Noteworthy: CBJ led 2-0 after the 1st period, and 3-1 early in the 2nd but PIT scored 3 goals in both the 2nd and 3rd periods… Johnson notched his 1st career NHL goal… Gaudreau tallied an assist to extend his points streak to 5-straight games (4-3-7) and 4-straight at home (4-2-6)… Roslovic (1-1-2, 1st multi-point effort) scored his CBJ’s shorthanded goal of 2022-23 with his 1st career SHG.
SEASON SERIES LEFT: Mar. 7 at PIT… Apr. 13 at CBJ
NOTED (Team Highlights vs. PIT)
Teams have met in 1st round in 2 playoffs (2014, 2017)… PIT has won the past 6 meetings (CBJ; 0-5-1), including all 4 games in the 2021-22 season… CBJ last earned a victory at PIT on 11/13/15 (2-1 W), falling in the last 11 trips to PPG Paints Arena (0-7-4)… Winning team has scored 4+ goals in 12 of the past 15 games of the series dating back to Dec. 27, 2017… PIT owns all 3 shutouts in all-time series… Each team has recorded 3 hat tricks in all-time series… Most goals scored at PIT: 4 – 3x (MR: 12/27/17)… Most goals allowed at PIT: 7 (10/5/19).
NOTED (Player Highlights vs. PIT)
Gavrikov made NHL debut on 10/5/19 at PIT… Gudbranson skated in his 200th career NHL game on 12/20/14 at PIT… Jenner skated in 400th career NHL game on 2/26/19 vs. PIT… Johnson notched his 1st career NHL goal on 10/22/22 vs. PIT… Merzlikins made NHL debut on 10/5/19 at PIT… Nyquist notched his 400th career point (goal) on 4/29/22 at PIT, his 2nd career hat trick on 11/29/19 vs. PIT, and his 100th career goal on 12/31/17 vs. PIT… Voracek notched his 1st career hat trick on 2/20/13 at PIT and recorded his 500th career assist on 3/6/21 at PIT… Werenski picked up 100th NHL assist on 11/29/19 vs. PIT.
SCORING NOTABLES vs. PIT
•Gaudreau – 6-6-12 in 15 career GP, including 2-3-5 in his last five contests vs. the club
•Jenner – 8-5-13 in 27 career GP, including goals in two of his last three games against the Pens
•Laine – 1-5-6 in 11 career GP, including 1-3-4 in five career road contests
•Nyquist – 11-9-20 in 23 career GP, including 7-2-9 in his past nine appearances vs. Pittsburgh
•Roslovic – 2-3-5 in 9 career GP, including 1-1-2 in the 1st meeting of the 2022-23 series
A LOOK AT DECEMBER
The Blue Jackets fell to 5-4-2 in the last 11 games overall following a 4-2 loss to the Red Wings on Sunday. The club, which has collected points in its last two road contests (1-0-1), plays its eighth road game (2-4-1) of the season tonight at Pittsburgh. After a three-game homestand from December 7-11, the team will play six-of-eight on the road from December 13-29. Columbus will play three-straight contests against the East from December 4-7 (Detroit, Pittsburgh and Buffalo). The Blue Jackets play 15 games in the month of December with two sets of back-to-back games (Dec. 6 at PIT/Dec. 7 vs. BUF; Dec. 19 vs. DAL/Dec. 20 at PHI).
TWO DIFFERENT STRETCHES
Nine of the club’s first 12 games were competed against teams that made the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including facing off against the Stanley Cup champion Avalanche twice and Stanley Cup finalist once (Tampa Bay Lightning). The club is now at the end of a stretch of 11-of-13 contests from November 10-December 7 played against teams that failed to make the postseason. The only playoff teams over the second stretch are Florida (Nov. 20) and Pittsburgh (Dec. 6).
MARCHENKO SET TO MAKE NHL DEBUT
Right wing Kirill Marchenko was recalled from the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League on Monday and is slated to make his NHL debut on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. The 22-year-old was selected by the club in the second round, 49th overall, at the 2018 NHL Draft. He played in the KHL from 2017-22 before making the move to North America this season. He ranked second among AHL rookies in points and power play goals (tied), fourth-T in assists and fifth-T in goals at the time of his recall on Monday with 8-11-19 and four PPG in 16 games this season and recorded points in 14 of his 16 outings, including five multi-point efforts. Marcus Bjork and David Jiricek have also made their NHL debuts with the Blue Jackets this season.
FROM THE BLUELINE
CBJ blueliners, who have recorded goals in each of the last two contests (2-1-3), have collected 9-21-30 in the last 17 outings and 13-27-40 in 23 games this season to rank eighth-T in the NHL in goals. Defenseman Erik Gudbranson scored his first goal with the club on Friday at Winnipeg, picking up his 100th career point in the process (28-72-100 in 663 games). Vladislav Gavrikov, who has tallied an assist in two of the last three games (0-2-2), notched his second career overtime winner and fifth career game-winning goal on Nov. 15 vs. the Flyers, finishing with 1-1-2, while also skating in a career-high 28:40 TOI (previous 28:20 on Apr. 22, 2022 vs. OTT). He became the fifth different defenseman in NHL history to score each of his first two or more goals of a season in overtime and is also one off the franchise record for overtime goals by a defenseman in a single season (3; Seth Jones, 2016-17 & 2018-19).
ROOKIE REPORT
The club currently has seven rookies on the roster with forwards Liam Foudy, Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko and Carson Meyer along with defensemen Nick Blankenburg (injured), Marcus Bjork and Jake Christiansen. They have combined for 10-15-25 in 23 games in 2022-23 after notching both goals in Sunday’s game vs. Detroit. CBJ rank third-T among NHL team rookies in goals and fifth in points. Johnson, who registered a goal on Sunday and now has points in the last two contests (1-1-2), ranks fourth-T among NHL rookies in goals, fifth-T in points-per-game (.65; min. 10 GP) and seventh-T in points with 6-7-13 in 20 games. He has registered 3-4-7 in his last nine outings and 6-6-12 in his past 17 contests played. Bjork also scored a goal on Sunday and now has 1-2-3 in the past six games (overall 2-3-5 in 10 GP). The blueliner tallied points in his first two NHL games after scoring his first career goal in his NHL debut on Nov. 12 at NY Islanders and picking up his first career assist on Nov. 15 vs. Philadelphia. He is the first blueliner and seventh player overall in franchise history to score in his debut.
CAPTAIN BOONE JENNER
Boone Jenner tallied his fifth multi-point and second multi-assist game of the campaign with 0-2-2 on Sunday, extending his points streak to three-straight contests (1-3-4) in the process. He finished the month of November with 8-3-11 in 11 contests, which was the third-most goals in the month in franchise history (tied). The forward ranks ninth-T in the NHL in goals scored at home this season with 9-7-16 in 16 outings. He also ranks sixth in the NHL in faceoff wins (286-of-505 faceoffs; 56.6 pct.). The 29-year-old, who was selected 37th overall at the 2011 NHL Draft, is the longest-tenured Blue Jacket in his 10th season with the club, including his second as the team’s captain. The forward skated in his 600th career game on Nov. 4 vs. Colorado, becoming just the third player to reach the milestone with the franchise. With his second goal on Nov.15 vs. Philadelphia, Jenner notched his 150th career goal with the Blue Jackets and became the third player to reach the milestone with the franchise, joining Rick Nash (289) and Cam Atkinson (213). He also ranks fifth on the franchise’s all-time list in points (302).
RK PLAYER TOTAL GP SEASONS WITH CBJ
- Rick Nash 674 2002-12 (9 seasons)
- Cam Atkinson 627 2011-21 (10 seasons)
- Boone Jenner 612 2013-current (10 seasons)
- Nick Foligno 599 2012-21 (9 seasons)
- David Savard 597 2011-21 (10 seasons)
HERE’S JOHNNY!
Left wing Johnny Gaudreau stretched his assist streak to four consecutive games (1-7-8), including three-straight multi-point efforts from Nov. 25-Dec. 2, with an assist on Sunday and has now collected 3-14-17 in his last 11 contests. The forward tied the franchise record for assists in the month of November with 3-11-14 in 11 outings (Andrew Cassels in November 2002). The six-time All-Star leads the club in assists and scoring and ranks second in goals with 8-18-26 in 23 games while recording points in 16 of his contests. The winger has done most of his damage at home with 8-13-21 in 16 outings, ranking eighth-T in the NHL in points. He played in his 317th consecutive game on Sunday, the third-longest active iron man streak in the NHL and trailing only Phil Kessel (1,009) and Brent Burns (704). The Salem, New Jersey native, who signed a seven-year contract with Columbus in July, has collected 218-417-635 in 625 NHL games, including a career-high 40-75-115 in 82 games with Calgary last season when he earned First Team All-NHL honors.
TOUGH TO REPLACE Z
Defenseman Zach Werenski recorded his first multi-point game of the season with 1-1-2 in a win over Philadelphia on Nov. 10 to extend his points-streak to three-straight games (1-3-4) before leaving the with an upper body injury. Unfortunately, that was the last CBJ will likely see the club’s top defenseman this regular season as it was announced Friday that he suffered a separated shoulder and torn labrum and likely to miss six months. He led the club’s blueliners in goals, assists and points at the time of the injury with 3-5-8 in 13 games. The two-time NHL All-Star blueliner set single-season career highs in assists, points and time on ice and posted the third-most assists (tied) and points by a defenseman in a single season in franchise history with 11-37-48 and 25:40 TOI in 68 games in 2021-22.
UP IN CLEVELAND
Columbus’ AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, have kicked off the 2022-23 season going 10-6-3 after a 4-3 victory over the Rochester Americans on Saturday. The club has points in nine of its last 10 games (6-1-3) and sits in third place in the North Division. Right Wing Trey Fix-Wolansky, who was recently assigned back to Cleveland from Columbus, leads the AHL in points-per-game (min. 10 GP) with 10-12-22 and 1.57 ppg in 14 contests. The forward recorded goals in each of his last four outings and four-plus points in three of them with 7-7-14. Samuel Knazko (1-9-10 in 17 GP) and David Jiricek (3-7-10 in 12 GP) rank third-T among AHL rookie defensemen in scoring. The Monsters return to action when they visit the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Friday, Dec. 9.
2022-23 TEAM QUICK HITS
•CBJ play their 5th of 16 back-to-back sets on Tue. (at PIT) and Wed. (vs. BUF) with the club 2-6-0 in back-to-backs this season (0-4-0 in 1st game)
•CBJ are 2-1-0 in Tuesday games this season and play on 7-straight Tuesdays beginning on Dec. 6 at Pittsburgh
•CBJ rank 5th-T in the NHL in power play percentage dating back to Nov. 5, converting on 8-of-26 power play opportunities (30.8 pct.)
•CBJ have scored 36 goals in its past 11 games (3.27 per game), lighting the lamp at least 4 times in 5 of those contests
•CBJ finished with a season-high 12 skaters recording a point on Nov. 17 vs. MTL
•CBJ’s 21 different players with a goal this season is the second-most in the NHL and trailing only Detroit (22)
•CBJ have recorded 19 multi-goal periods this season, including scoring 2 goals in both the 1st and 2nd periods on Dec. 2 at WPG
•CBJ were tied for 3rd-youngest team in the NHL (ARI and NJD) to start the season at 25.9, trailing only BUF (25.0) and OTT (25.7)
2022-23 PLAYER QUICK HITS
•Chinakhov has recorded 2-3-5 in his last 9 games played and has already tied his single season career high in assists with 4-7-11 in 22 outings this season (7-7-14 in 62 games in 2021-22)
•Korpisalo has stopped 115-of-125 shots over his last 4 games since Nov. 23 (.920 SV%), including turning aside 37-of-38 in win at WPG on Dec. 2
•Kuraly registered 6 (5-1-6) of his 9 points (6-3-9) in the month of November and finished 2nd on the club in goals in the month
•Laine tallied his 1st multi-goal game and 2nd multi-point contest of the season with 2-0-2 on Fri. at WPG and has 3-2-5 in his last 6 games played
•Nyquist has points in 2 of the last 3 games (1-2-3) and has 2-5-7 in his last 10 contests
•Peeke ranks 2nd on the team with 46 blocked shots and has registered at least one in 21 of his 23 contests this season
•Roslovic has collected assists in each of the last two games (0-2-2).
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS NOTES:
LAST 2 GAMES
Dec. 3: Pittsburgh 6, St. Louis 2 – PPG Paints Arena
PIT Goals: Kapanen (3), Rust, Zucker, Crosby (EN)
Multiple Points: Rust (1G-3A), Kapanen (3G), Malkin (3A),
Zucker (1G-2A)
Goalie: Jarry (26 saves/28 shots)
Key Stats: Kasperi Kapanen recorded his second career hat trick (3G) as Pittsburgh picked up points for the eighth time in the last nine games (7-1-1).
PP: 2-4
PK: 2-2
Dec. 1: Pittsburgh 4, Vegas 3 – PPG Paints Arena
PIT Goals: McGinn, Rakell, Guentzel (PP), Kapanen
Multiple Points: McGinn (1G-1A), Kapanen (1G-1A), Guentzel
(1G-1A)
Goalie: Jarry (34 saves/37 shots)
Key Stats: Kasperi Kapanen notched his first game-winning goal since Dec. 10, 2021 at Washington to help Pittsburgh pick up the win.
PP: 1-4
PK: 1-3
INJURIES
Position Player Status Consecutive Games Missed Total Games Missed
D Kris Letang Stroke 3 4
2022-23 Total Regular-Season Man-Games Lost: 33
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Date Transaction
Nov. 15 F Teddy Blueger activated off of LTIR. F Filip Hallander re-assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).
Nov. 13 D Mark Friedman re-assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).
Nov. 11 D Mark Friedman recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL). F Sam Poulin re-assigned to WBS.
Nov. 7 F Filip Hallander recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL).
Nov. 6 F Drew O’Connor re-assigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (AHL)
Pittsburgh’s All-Time Record vs. Blue Jackets: 33-10-4
In Pittsburgh: 19-4-0
In Columbus: 14-6-4
OT Record vs. Blue Jackets: 8-2-2
Shootout Record vs. Blue Jackets: 3-2
2022-23 Results: Pittsburgh is 1-0-0.
Penguins All-Time Point Leaders vs. BLUE JACKETS:
Sidney Crosby – 35GP, 46 PTS (14G-32A)
Evgeni Malkin – 31GP, 38 PTS (15G-23A)
Kris Letang – 30GP, 26 PTS (11G-15A)
TONIGHT’S GAME
-The Penguins take on the Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena for their second of four meetings in the 2022-23 season (TV: AT&T SportsNet; Radio: 105.9 The X).
-Tonight, the Penguins are on their last game of a five-game homestand where they’ve gone 2-1-1. The Penguins are 6-3-2 at home this year.
-Last season, the Penguins were a perfect 4-0-0 against the Blue Jackets and are 1-0-0 against them this year. Since the Metropolitan Division was formed for the 2012-13 season, Pittsburgh has dropped the season series with Columbus just once (2014-15).
-Pittsburgh is 16-3-1 in its last 20 games against Columbus dating back to Feb. 3, 2017.
-Pittsburgh is 33-10-4 all-time against Columbus. The Penguins’ all-time record at home versus the Blue Jackets is 19-4-0.
QUICK HITS
1) Pittsburgh has points in 11 of its last 13 games overall (9-2-2). Since this 13-game stretch began on Nov. 9, only the New Jersey Devils (21) have picked up more points than Pittsburgh (20).
2) Sidney Crosby has 46 points (14G-32A) in 35 career games against the Blue Jackets. Among active players, only Patrick Kane (73) and David Perron (48) have more points against Columbus than Crosby.
3) The Penguins have scored three or more goals in 14 of their last 17 games against the Blue Jackets, while 11 of those 17 games have been four-plus goal efforts.
4) Tristan Jarry is 5-1-0 in his career versus Columbus with a 1.77 goals-against average and a 9.36 save percentage.
5) Jake Guentzel has six goals in six career games when facing Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.
TEAM NOTES
EVEN-STRENGTH EXPERT
Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh and is 10th in the NHL with 33 points (13G-20A) in 25 games this season. Of his 33 points, 28 of them (12G-16A) have come at even strength, which is most in the NHL:
Player EVP
Sidney Crosby 28
Jason Robertson 27
Erik Karlsson 26
Connor McDavid 24
Matthew Tkachuk 23
ALL-TIME LEADERS
(AMONG ACTIVE PLAYERS)
GOALS
- Alex Ovechkin…………….793
- Sidney Crosby…………530
- Steven Stamkos……….494
- Evgeni Malkin………….452
- Eric Staal……………………441
ASSISTS
- Sidney Crosby…………..912
- Patrick Kane………………766
- Nicklas Backstrom…….747
- Evgeni Malkin………….718
- Anze Kopitar………………716
POINTS
- Sidney Crosby………..1,442
- Alex Ovechkin…………1,435
- Patrick Kane…………..1,200
- Evgeni Malkin………..1,170
- Anze Kopitar…………..1,088
POINTS PER GAME
- Connor McDavid……….1.45
- Sidney Crosby…………1.27
- Kirill Kaprizov…………….1.19
- Evgeni Malkin………….1.16
- Leon Draisaitl……………1.13
OVERTIME GOALS
- Alex Ovechkin…………….25*
- Sidney Crosby……………19
- Brad Marchand…………….17
- Max Pacioretty…………….16
- Brent Burns…………………16
OVERTIME POINTS
- Sidney Crosby………….38*
- Alex Ovechkin……………38*
- Patrick Kane………………..35
- Evgeni Malkin……………32
- Jakub Voracek…………….32
*1st in NHL History
EVEN-STRENGTH EXPERT (CONT’D)
Since Nov. 5, Crosby is third in points in the NHL:
Player GP G A PTS
Jason Robertson 14 16 10 26
Connor McDavid 15 10 14 24
Sidney Crosby 14 8 13 21
Leon Draisaitl 15 11 9 20
Tage Thompson 14 9 11 20
CAPS OFF TO KAPPY
Kasperi Kapanen tallied his second career hat trick Saturday night against St. Louis (Also Nov. 26, 2021 vs. MIN), marking the first hat trick by a Penguin this season. He has scored in back-to-back games for the first time since Mar. 7-9, 2021 (2G). It also marks Kapanen’s first back-to-back multi-point outing since Feb. 12-14, 2019. Since the calendar flipped to December, no NHL player has more goals than Kapanen’s four, and his five points are tied for fifth in the league in that span:
Player GP G
Kasperi Kapanen 2 4
Jason Robertson 2 4
Connor McDavid 3 4
Brady Tkachuk 2 3
Kirill Kaprizov 3 3
CARTER 400
Jeff Carter enters tonight’s game one assist from 400 in his career and is set to become the sixth player from the 2003 draft class to collect 400 goals and 400 assists along with Eric Staal (441G-595A), Patrice Bergeron (409G-594A), Joe Pavelski (431G-521A), Corey Perry (408G-460A) and Zach Parise (416G-441A). He would also become the 100th player in NHL history to accomplish this feat. Carter has points in six of nine home games this season (2G-5A), and has points in 10 of his last 13 home games (3G8A) dating back to Apr. 14 of last season.
PENGUINS COACH’S CHALLENGES
2022-23 Record: 3-for-4, 75.0%
All-Time (Since 2015-16): 29-for-52, 55.8%
Last Challenge: (L) Nov. 12, 2022 – Call upheld; Video review confirmed no goaltender interference infractions occurred prior to Cole Caufield’s goal in Montreal.
Type of Challenge: Play Stoppage: 1-for-1, 100.0% Interference: 12-for-28, 42.9% Offsides: 16-for-23, 70.0%
Sidney Crosby
81 GWG
Evgeni Malkin
78 GWG
Jaromir Jagr
78 GWG
Mario Lemieux
74 GWG
Jean Pronovost
42 GWG
PENGUINS’ ALL-TIME GAME-WINNING GOAL LEADERS
OFFENSIVE THREAT
Through the first 25 games, Pittsburgh has been one of the most dangerous teams in the league offensively. The Penguins’ 88 goals for are tied for ninth-most in the NHL, but their 3.52 goals-per-game average is sixth best. They’ve also scored five or more goals eight times this season, which trails only Dallas (11) and Boston (11) for most such instances in the NHL. Per Natural Stat Trick, the Penguins also rank fifth in the league in expected goals:
Team xGF
Florida 96.18
New Jersey 94.05
NY Rangers 93.82
Carolina 89.61
Pittsburgh 89.33
GUENTZ-GOALS
Jake Guentzel enters tonight’s game riding a four-game point streak (2G-4A). Here at home, Guentzel has been held without a point just twice this season, and he ranks second on Pittsburgh with 14 home points (6G-8A) in 11 games. Guentzel tends to perform against divisional opponents. Since the beginning of last season, he is tied for eighth in the NHL in points versus the Metropolitan Division with 27 (13G-14A) in 24 games, and his 13 goals are tied for fourth in the league in that span:
Goals vs. Metropolitan Division (2021-Present)
Player GP G
Chris Kreider 26 22
Tage Thompson 24 16
Alex Ovechkin 23 14
Jake Guentzel 24 13
Mitch Marner 23 13
HEINEN 100
Danton Heinen currently sits two assists shy of 100 in his career. Heinen, who was drafted in the fourth round (116th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft, is looking to become the 21st member of his draft class to register 100 assists. Of the 20 players with 100 assists, only six players (Christian Dvorak and Brandon Montour, 2nd Round; Brayden Point, 3rd Round; Viktor Arvidsson and Devon Toews, 4th Round; Kevin Lebanc, 6th Round) were selected outside of the first round. Heinen has 11 points (3G-8A) in 10 career games against the Blue Jackets, which includes a two-goal effort (2G) earlier this year.
2022-23 REGULAR-SEASON SPECIAL TEAMS BREAKDOWN
Power Play Penalty Kill
PPG/PPO PP% Situation Killed/Times SH PK%
15-82 18.3% Overall 62-77 80.5%
13-78 16.7% 5-on-4 62-75 82.7%
1-1 100.0% 5-on-3 0-0 00.0%
1-4 25.0% 4-on-3 0-1 00.0%
RAK CITY
Rickard Rakell has put together a solid start to the season, registering 15 points (10G-5A) and a team-high plus-13 in 25 games this season. His 10 goals are third on Pittsburgh, and his 15 points are fifth most. Rakell, who was selected 30th overall by Anaheim in the 2011 NHL draft, currently sits one assist shy of 200 in his career. He’s looking to become the 15th member of his draft class to accumulate 200 or more assists, and his 367 career points (168G-199A) are also 15th among players drafted in 2011.
BRICK WALL
Tristan Jarry enters tonight’s game having picked up points in each of his last eight games (6-0-2). Jarry has been one of the hottest goalies in the NHL since Nov. 17:
Stats Since Nov. 17 (min. 3GP)
Stat NHL Rank
Wins (6) 1st
GAA (1.97) 3rd
SV% (.937) 3rd
SO (1) T-1st
Assists (1) T-1st
Jarry also has just one regulation loss in nine home games this year, going 6-1-2 with a 2.52 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage here at PPG Paints Arena.
FILLING THE NET
Among all active players who have played 12 or more games against Columbus, Jake Guentzel (18GP, 10G-11A) and Jeff Carter (26GP, 14G-8A) are ranked fourth and fifth (tied) in goals per game versus the Blue Jackets, respectively:
Team Player GP G G/GM
STL Vladimir Tarasenko 17 12 0.71
DET Tyler Bertuzzi 14 10 0.71
OTT Alex DeBrincat 14 8 0.57
PIT Jake Guentzel 18 10 0.56
PIT Jeff Carter 26 14 0.54
In 18 career regular season games against Columbus, Guentzel has 21 points (10G-11A). If you include his postseason stats against them, Guentzel has 15 goals and 27 points in 23 games. Since his NHL debut, on November 21, 2016, no Penguin has more goals in the regular season and postseason against the Blue Jackets than Guentzel.
