The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to resume play following the Olympic break with a home game against the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena. The game is scheduled for February 26, with puck drop at 7 PM and doors opening an hour earlier.
Fans can watch the matchup on SNP or listen via 105.9 The X and the Penguins app. The team is collaborating with UPMC Heart & Vascular Institute for Check Your Heart Night, distributing oven mitts to the first 7,500 attendees as part of a campaign to raise awareness about heart disease.
This event also marks the 15th annual Penguins Charity Game. For the first time since 2020, Black Penguins Charity Bags will be available for purchase at PPG Paints Arena’s Highmark Gate upon entry. A valid ticket to the game is required for in-person purchases, while additional charity bags will be sold online beginning at 5:30 PM through www.pittsburghpenguinsfoundation.org.
Sidney Crosby Team Canada jerseys and St. Patrick’s Day merchandise will be featured at PensGear during the game.
The Penguins currently hold a record of 29-15-12, while their opponents from New Jersey stand at 28-28-2. Since March 2021, Pittsburgh has earned points in most games against New Jersey and has performed strongly in recent home games.
Several notable achievements and updates were highlighted ahead of this contest:
Bryan Rust leads his personal scoring against any team when facing New Jersey, accumulating 34 points over his career matchups.
Anthony Mantha has recorded significant points against New Jersey as well.
Members of Pittsburgh’s staff and players—including Madison Nikkel (Team USA), Sidney Crosby (Team Canada), Kyle Dubas (Team Canada), and Sean Young (Team Canada)—recently medaled at Milano Cortina 2026.
Pittsburgh’s penalty kill remains effective, neutralizing most penalties over their last stretch of games.
Recent acquisition Samuel Girard joined from Colorado Avalanche along with a future draft pick in exchange for Brett Kulak. Girard brings Stanley Cup experience and consistent performance across his NHL career.
Evgeni Malkin has maintained a strong point streak during home games, positioning him among league leaders in this category.
Ben Kindel stands out as one of the league’s top goal scorers since late January.
Egor Chinakhov quickly made an impact since joining Pittsburgh at the start of January.
Rickard Rakell approaches his 300th career assist milestone; Kris Letang nears his own landmark with three points shy of reaching 800 career points—an achievement only managed by a select group of defensemen historically.
Sidney Crosby continues to lead all active players in scoring against New Jersey; Evgeni Malkin ranks third among active players for this matchup.
Defensemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang have been notably productive when playing against New Jersey as well.
The National Aviary will partner with the team for an educational initiative during tonight’s event as part of community engagement efforts—a reflection of how the franchise forms an important part of Pittsburgh’s sports culture through strong community ties.
Home games take place at PPG Paints Arena—a central venue in downtown Pittsburgh—as noted by the official website. The organization itself features Hall of Fame figures among its players, coaches, and executives under ownership by Fenway Sports Group (source). Over recent years, Pittsburgh has maintained regular playoff appearances and division titles (official site).
“Bryan Rust has 34 points (18G-16A) and is plus-12 in 42 career games against the Devils. It’s the most points he’s picked up versus any one team and four more than his next closest opponent (Philadelphia, 30 PTS in 38 GP). He has points in six of his last 10 games against the Devils (5G-4A).”
“Anthony Mantha has 14 points (4G-10A) in 23 career games against New Jersey.”
“Video Coach Madison Nikkel (Team USA, gold), forward Sidney Crosby (Team Canada, silver), President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas (Team Canada, silver) and Strength & Conditioning Coach Sean Young (Team Canada, silver) all medaled at Milano Cortina 2026.”
“The Penguins have killed off 39 of their last 42 penalties over the past 14 games (92.9%).”
“The Penguins have points in eight of their last 10 home games with a 6-2-2 record.”
“On Tuesday, the Penguins acquired defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round draft pick from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Brett Kulak. Girard, 27, is signed through the 2026-27 season and carries an average annual value of $5 million.”
“The 2022 Stanley Cup Champion is currently in his ninth NHL season, splitting his career between Colorado and the Nashville Predators. Girard has tallied three goals, nine assists, twelve points and a plus-twelve in forty games this season.”
“The five-foot-ten-inch tall defenseman has recorded thirty-seven goals, one hundred ninety-eight assists and two hundred thirty-five points in five hundred eighty-eight career NHL games. He has also added three goals, twenty-five assists and twenty-eight points in sixty-seven career playoff games. His best season came in twenty twenty-two–twenty-three when he set career highs across goals (six), assists (thirty-one) and points (thirty-seven) in seventy-six games with Colorado.”
“Evgeni Malkin has been hot at home as of late with nine points (two goals–seven assists) in his last eight games. He currently has the second longest active home point streak in the NHL.”
“With a point tomorrow Malkin would have his first home point streak of at least nine games since February twenty-third – March thirtieth two thousand twenty-three (ten GP; three G–thirteen A). He would also tie Erik Karlsson for longest home point streak this season by a Penguin.”
“Ben Kindel scored two goals against Buffalo Sabres on February fifth for his third multi-goal game this year. He has goals in four out six last matches now leads NHL since January twenty-fifth.”
“Egor Chinakhov made presence felt early on time Pittsburgh twelve pts eight G–four A eighteen matches helping go twelve–three–three him lineup since debut January one no one more goals than him.”
“Rickard Rakell comes into tomorrow three assists shy three hundred assists career would become thirteenth active player two thousand eleven NHL Draft reach mark Swedish forward played parts ten seasons Anaheim before traded Pittsburgh two thousand twenty-one–twenty-two then ranks sixth club pts two hundred four below look so far.”
“Kris Letang enters tomorrow’s game three pts shy eight hundred would be twenty-first defenseman reach mark history fourth active holds every major statistical record among defensemen club history includes GP one thousand two hundred eleven G one seventy-eight A six nineteen P seven ninety-seven.”
“Sidney Crosby made habit turning solid performances Devils ninety-one matches vs NJD recorded ninety-nine pts forty-two G fifty-seven A ranking first scoring all actives teammate Evgeni Malkin third actives pts matchup.”
