New York @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 2, 2019 ) Pittsburgh 7, NY Rangers 2

The Pittsburgh Penguins are battling to stay among the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference, primarily due to their ordinary record at home and a tendency to give up goals in bunches. The Penguins struggled in both areas during a 5-4 home loss to Calgary but will look to bounce back a day later as they host the New York Rangers on Sunday afternoon.

Pittsburgh surrendered four second-period goals in Saturday's setback to diminish a few highlights, including Phil Kessel becoming the 17th American-born player to reach 800 points. Defenseman Justin Schultz also returned to the lineup after a 53-game absence due to a fractured leg and "was terrific," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan told reporters. "You can see the impact he has." New York is in 12th place in the East - nine points behind the Penguins - but has made strides with an 8-5-1 stretch that has followed a tailspin during which it won only five of 21 games (5-11-5). “You have to bring your best every game,” Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, who made 31 saves in Friday's 6-2 romp in Buffalo, told reporters. “No matter what happened in (your) last game, that’s not important.”

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, NBC, Sportsnet, TVA

ABOUT THE RANGERS (25-24-8): Vladislav Namestnikov, who had been kept off the scoresheet for 10 straight games and limited to two assists in his last 23 contests, broke out of his slump by scoring two goals and setting up another in the win over Buffalo. "I'm really happy for Vladdy, because I think he's played two great games (on the road trip)," coach David Quinn told reporters. "I think that Winnipeg game, he had some great chances. ... He's doing all these other things well that it's good to see him get rewarded." Mika Zibanejad is on a tear with 13 goals and six assists over his last 12 contests despite being shut down by the Sabres.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (30-21-7): Evgeni Malkin was slumping before he missed six of the team's first seven games this month due to injury and a suspension, but he returned Saturday and recorded a three-point performance that included a pair of third-period goals. Malkin's presence particularly was notable on the powe play as Pittsburgh scored three man-advantage goals after going 1-for-21 over its previous 10 contests. "I thought after we got the first power-play goal, I think they got a lot of confidence off of that," Sullivan said. "They had much more composure with the puck. They were the power play that we always expect from them."

OVERTIME

1. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby recorded a goal and an assist in a 7-2 rout of New York on Jan. 2, giving him 84 points in 63 career meetings.

2. Rangers D Brady Skjei (lower body) is day-to-day after exiting Friday's game.

3. Malkin has collected 56 points (26 goals, 30 assists) in 55 career contests against New York.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Rangers 2