The New York Rangers are coming off their their worst loss of the season, giving up six goals against Buffalo in their first game of the season following the 4 Nations Face-Off break.
With the Rangers up for a Wild Cart spot in the rapidly approaching playoffs, it's imperative that the Blueshirts turn things around quickly. Their first opportunity to do so is Sunday afternoon against the Pittsburgh Penguins (23-26-9).
Records aside, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins is obviously the player to watch heading into the matchup.
Matinee in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/y5sFslvARs
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 23, 2025
Sidney Crosby
According to the NHL, there was never a doubt in Corsby's mind that he would return to action for Pittsburgh right away following the 4 Nations Face-Off. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain was riding a high after helping Canada defeat the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game on Thursday and wanted to get right back to help his NHL team.
He was also named Canada's captain for the 4 Nations Face-Off and had three assists in a 4-3 overtime win against Sweden in the opening game Feb. 12.
Crosby is currently the leading producer for Pittsburgh by ten points. He has 59 points — with the next team-leader (Rickard Rakell) having 49 — across 18 goals and 41 assists. The Nova Scota, Canada native is 28 ponts away from being the league's leading skater.
For his history with the Penguins, they won the NHL Draft Lottery and happily selected Crosby, who showed that he could produce offense at the NHL level by finishing his rookie season with 102 points (39 goals, 63 assists) in 2005-06, finishing second to Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals for the Calder Trophy despite playing for a team that finished 22-46-14. In 2006-07, Crosby helped the Penguins advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs by leading the NHL in scoring with 120 points (36 goals, 84 assists), winning the Art Ross and Hart Trophies and the Lester B. Pearson Award (now the Ted Lindsay Award).
He has played in the NHL All-Star Game a record number of times (2007, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024) and in January 2017, Crosbywas named to the 100 Greatest NHL Players.
How to Tune In
The Blueshirts travel to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins, who defeated the Rangers 3-2 on Feb. 7th. Puck drop is slated for 3:30 p.m. EST and the game is available for streaming via Sling TV and YouTube.