The Pittsburgh Penguins will conclude a two-game homestand by facing the Calgary Flames at PPG Paints Arena, with the puck scheduled to drop at 3:30 PM. Doors open at 1:00 PM for fans attending the event.
The first 7,500 attendees will receive an Evgeni Malkin Bobblehead, courtesy of F.N.B., and early arrival is encouraged. This game marks the annual Sports Matter Game presented by The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation. Fans arriving early will also receive a Sports Matter-themed rally towel. Additional activities include free Sports Matter-themed experiences in the Hall of Fame Hallway behind the Michelob ULTRA Club on the FedEx Level.
Green ‘Sports Matter’ Penguins jerseys, featuring names and autographs from current team members and other athletes, are set to be auctioned off to benefit The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s Sports Matter program. These items and other memorabilia will be available online starting at 2:00 PM.
Fans can watch the matchup on SportsNet Pittsburgh or listen via 105.9 The X and through the Penguins app.
Heading into this contest, Pittsburgh holds a record of 21-12-9 while Calgary stands at 18-22-4. The Penguins have recorded points in 11 of their last 16 games against Calgary (7-5-4) and have been strong overall against them since December 2007, going 16-7-4 in their last 27 meetings. At home, they have won four of their last five games against Calgary (4-1-0), suffering only three regulation losses in their past thirteen home matchups (9-3-1). A win would give Pittsburgh its first five-game home winning streak this season.
Several individual performances stand out ahead of Saturday’s game:
“Kris Letang has 22 points (5G-17A) in 24 career games versus Calgary, which is tied for his highest point total versus any Western Conference team. (Minnesota – 22).”
“The Penguins are ranked second in the NHL in power-play percentage (29.8%).”
“Sidney Crosby has 28 points (13G-15A) in 23 career games against the Flames. Here at home, he has 16 points (8G-8A) in 11 games played versus them. He has been held without a point just twice in those 11 games.”
“Erik Karlsson has 23 points (4G-19A) in 30 career games against the Flames, which includes 13 points (2G-11A) in his last 15 games against them.”
“Pittsburgh has points in 26 of the 33 games that Blake Lizotte has dressed in, going 20-7-6.”
Since Christmas Day, Pittsburgh is undefeated with a six-game win streak and currently holds one of the league’s longest active winning runs.
Sidney Crosby is currently on an eight-game point streak with five goals and nine assists during that span—tied for fourth-longest active point streak league-wide—and needs just one more point to reach fifty this season for what would be his sixth consecutive campaign hitting that mark and nineteenth overall.
Defenseman Erik Karlsson carries a nine-game home point streak into Saturday’s contest; if extended to ten it would make him only the fifth defenseman in franchise history to achieve such a run at home—a feat not seen from a Penguins defenseman for nearly twenty-five years.
Crosby recently surpassed Wayne Gretzky for second-most assists with one franchise in NHL history after tallying two assists Thursday night; teammate Evgeni Malkin is now one assist away from moving past Bryan Trottier for tenth-most assists with one team all-time.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner made twenty-eight saves on twenty-nine shots Thursday (.966 save percentage), recording his third consecutive post-holiday win while allowing only one goal per game during this stretch.
The team’s fourth line—Connor Dewar, Blake Lizotte, Noel Acciari—has contributed notably during this winning run; when any member records a point during play this season Pittsburgh boasts a record of thirteen wins, one loss and four overtime/shootout losses.
As part of ongoing community initiatives—consistent with organizational efforts described on their official website—the National Aviary will bring experts and live penguin ambassadors to PPG Paints Arena as part of today’s event programming. A permanent display featuring these penguins along with footage from Penguin Point habitat is located on site as well.The organization continues to emphasize youth development programs, fan engagement opportunities such as giveaways and themed nights,and maintains strong ties within Pittsburgh’s sports culture. Home matches like these take place regularly at PPG Paints Arena,which serves as both venue and focal point for local hockey fans.
