Penguins top Rangers, win first game without both Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby in nearly 4 years

Andrew Destin, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Feb 7, 2025

Published in Hockey

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With history serving as a precedent, the odds were surprisingly in the Penguins’ favor without either Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby.

Entering Friday night, the Penguins were a robust 36-18-10 in 64 regular-season games without both Crosby and Malkin in their lineup. Add another tally to the win column following an impressive showing in the Big Apple.

Operating without Crosby in a regular-season game for the first time since April 7, 2022, the Penguins secured a 3-2 win against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. It was an impressive effort from the visitors, especially considering they quickly trailed.

As was the case during Tuesday night’s overtime defeat to the Devils, Erik Karlsson was guilty of an ugly turnover that led to a goal. Pittsburgh native Vincent Trocheck picked off a prospective Karlsson pass up the ice and easily beat Alex Nedeljkovic for the game’s first goal.

Though the Penguins trailed after the opening 20 minutes of play, they dominated the ensuing frame. Blake Lizotte drew the Penguins back even with his first goal in six weeks, though defenseman Adam Fox’s wrister put the Rangers briefly back in front.

The Penguins potted the final two goals of the contest, though, in the second period. Rickard Rakell scored his team-leading 25th goal of the year on a pretty move off the rush, and then Philip Tomasino netted what would ultimately be the game-winning goal on the power play. It ended a season-long, five-game goalless streak for the Penguins’ power play.

There wasn’t much by way of offense in the third period, but not for the Rangers’ lack of trying. The Penguins didn’t register any shots on goal in the final frame as they parked the bus on defense, and instead had to withstand a flurry of Rangers opportunities. Twice within the game’s final six minutes, the Rangers found themselves on the power play thanks to penalties on Pierre-Olivier Joseph, and then Michael Bunting.

No matter. The Penguins withstood each of those shorthanded situations, blocking a multitude of shots en route to earning a valiant victory without either their captain or another franchise icon.

Ice Chips

— With Crosby sidelined, Rakell took over on the Penguins’ top line. He was flanked by Anthony Beauvillier to his left and Bryan Rust to his right

— Emil Bemstrom was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Friday morning and made his season debut at the NHL level. Bemstrom leads the Baby Pens in goals and points this season.

— Nedeljkovic made his fifth straight start, the longest run of consecutive starts for any Penguins goalie this season.

— Forward Boko Imama was injured during the second period of the game and did not return. The Penguins listed it as an upper-body injury for Imama.