Rickard Rakell Excels in Emergency Center Role for Shorthanded Penguins

After recovering from hand surgery that sidelined him for 21 games earlier this season, Rickard Rakell has stepped up in a major way for Pittsburgh. With Sidney Crosby injured and Evgeni Malkin suspended, Rakell moved to the first-line center position—a role he hadn't played regularly in nearly a decade. He recorded two goals and six points over five games in that span, driving a productive line with Bryan Rust and Egor Chinakhov to help the Penguins finish 2-1-2 in that stretch.