The Pittsburgh Penguins will square off against the New York Rangers for the second time this season on Friday night.
But, this time, it will be under much different circumstances.
Earlier on Friday, the Rangers traded captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for a conditional 2025 fourth-round draft pick and depth defenseman Urho Vaakanaian.
Apparently, the Rangers’ locker room was a somber place to be, as Remy Mastey of The Hockey News – New York Rangers site reported that emotions are running very high. And this is, especially, considering the circumstances surrounding the trade – as Trouba was, reportedly, threatened with waivers by GM Chris Drury if he refused to waive his no-movement clause.
Jacob Trouba said “it was a threat” that if he didn’t waive his no-trade clause he would get put on waivers.
“It’s a right of passage to get fired at MSG.”
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) December 6, 2024
“We love him to death,” Mika Zibanejad said. “I can’t say it’s not tough.”
And, shortly afterward, the Rangers signed goaltender Igor Shesterkin to an historic contract extension for eight years, $92 million, making him the highest-paid goalie in NHL history.
With so much happening on the Rangers’ front Friday, it may be a perfect time for the Penguins to earn a big win against a struggling team.
The Rangers are 4-6 in their last 10 games, and they are tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the second wild card spot with 27 points. The Penguins, at 26 points, can leapfrog them and put themselves in a playoff position with a win in regulation.
Obviously, it’s a little early to be looking at the standings, but with the Penguins riding a four-game win streak, they are hoping to gain some ground and get a big win against the same team that romped them 6-0 in their season opener.
“Everyone knows where they’re at right now,” defenseman Ryan Shea said. “They’re still a very good team… I think they’re going to come out hungry, and on our side, we’re just trying to keep the ball rolling. We’re playing good hockey, we’re playing Penguins hockey, and if we keep on doing that, then I think we’ll be fine.”
The Penguins will start Alex Nedeljkovic against the Rangers in the first game of their back-to-back set, as Pittsburgh will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at home on Saturday. There’s also a possibility that forward Cody Glass – who has been out since Nov. 7 with a concussion – will make his return to the lineup.
If Cody Glass is in for @penguins tonight, would mark his first game since suffering a concussion in a loss to Carolina over a month ago, on 11/7.
Long road back for the forward – has 4A in 14 GP this year
— Josh Getzoff (@JG_PxP) December 6, 2024
In their last 10 regular season games against the Rangers, the Penguins are 3-7 and have been outscored, 36-19. They will look to course-correct and ride the momentum of beating four teams ahead of them in the standings during their four-game win streak.
