As the Pittsburgh Penguins gear up for their upcoming game against the Vancouver Canucks on November 27, 2024, several players are highlighted for their impressive performances. Goaltender Tristan Jarry boasts a record of 4 wins, 1 loss, and 1 overtime loss against the Canucks, with a solid goals-against average of 2.38 and a save percentage of .921 in six outings against his hometown team.
Evgeni Malkin has consistently excelled against the Canucks, accumulating 13 goals and 16 assists for a total of 29 points in 23 games. His scoring average of 1.26 points per game against Vancouver places him fifth among active players who have played at least 15 games against them. In his last six home games versus the Canucks, Malkin has been particularly dominant, racking up 15 points (8 goals and 7 assists), the highest among Penguins during that period.
Sidney Crosby, a veteran leader, also has a strong track record against Vancouver, with 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 24 career games. He has registered points in 11 of his last 15 matchups against the Canucks, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
Another player to watch is Jesse Puljujarvi, who has notched nine points against Vancouver, making it one of his better matchups. He enters this game tied with Crosby for the team lead in goals over the last four games, with two goals in that span.
Rickard Rakell has also proven to be a thorn in the Canucks’ side with 21 points in 32 games, indicating his effectiveness against them. His teams have performed well historically against Vancouver, with a record of 21 wins, 6 losses, and 5 overtime losses when he plays.
On the defensive end, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson have shown their prowess with impressive points-per-game averages of 0.73 and 0.70, respectively, ranking among the top active defensemen against the Canucks.
Michael Bunting is heating up as well, having tallied six points over his last 10 games, a significant improvement after a slow start to the season.
The Penguins may see the debut of Philip Tomasino, a 23-year-old forward recently acquired from the Predators. He has a notable background, recording 71 points in 159 NHL games and showing promise in the AHL as well.
Historically, the Penguins have a strong record of 391-90-48 when both Crosby and Malkin contribute points in a game. Crosby is set to make his 1,296th appearance, all with Pittsburgh, tying him for a notable milestone in NHL history. He is also just one goal away from tying Teemu Selanne for the 12th most even-strength goals in league history.
As the Penguins face off against the Canucks, the contributions of these key players will be crucial in their quest for victory.
