Rickard Rakell expressed mixed feelings about his goal in the Penguins' 4-1 loss to the Bruins this evening here at PPG Paints Arena:
Yeah, it set a career high, surpassing his total of 34 goals from the 2017-18 season with the Ducks. But it came in a meaningless, penultimate game of the season, and a loss at that.
"I mean, it feels way better than it did last year," Rakell said. "But first thing, it doesn't feel good when you're not in the position we want to be in. That's what it feels like right now."
Last year was difficult for Rakell, with only 15 goals and 22 assists in 70 games. He had a good excuse for that, having played with a shoulder injury that required him to wear a brace throughout almost all of last season.
He was optimistic about this season coming into camp, saying his shoulder injury was behind him and that now it felt better than it did prior to his injury. But his increased production goes beyond just feeling healthy.
"Things just got off to a good start," Rakell said. "Started feeling better after that, and just trusting your game and you get the ice time from coaches and all that."
It's interesting -- Rakell's rate of shots this season is the second-lowest in his career for a full season, averaging 7.76 per 60 minutes. But he's getting his shot attempts off from better areas. His four years in Pittsburgh are the four best years of his career in terms of rates of high-danger shot attempts, and this year is his third-best at 5.08 per 60 minutes. That's contributed to a shooting percentage of 17.4%, the second-best of his career. Coupled with increased playing time, often alongside Sidney Crosby on the top pair, it's translated to a new career peak for Rakell.
• Ville Koivunen had the secondary assist on Rakell's goal and now has five assists in seven games.
• Phil Tomasino returned to the lineup after sustaining a concussion on April 5. He had the primary assist on Rakell's goal.
• Connor Dewar had a team-high six hits.
• The Penguins had a great tribute to Ray Shero prior to the game:
Ray Shero’s legacy goes far beyond championships.
He will be remembered most for how he treated people - with respect, belief, and support.
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THE ASYLUM
Taylor Haase
1:53 am - 04.14.2025UptownLoose Pucks: New high for Rakell
Rickard Rakell expressed mixed feelings about his goal in the Penguins' 4-1 loss to the Bruins this evening here at PPG Paints Arena:
Yeah, it set a career high, surpassing his total of 34 goals from the 2017-18 season with the Ducks. But it came in a meaningless, penultimate game of the season, and a loss at that.
"I mean, it feels way better than it did last year," Rakell said. "But first thing, it doesn't feel good when you're not in the position we want to be in. That's what it feels like right now."
Last year was difficult for Rakell, with only 15 goals and 22 assists in 70 games. He had a good excuse for that, having played with a shoulder injury that required him to wear a brace throughout almost all of last season.
He was optimistic about this season coming into camp, saying his shoulder injury was behind him and that now it felt better than it did prior to his injury. But his increased production goes beyond just feeling healthy.
"Things just got off to a good start," Rakell said. "Started feeling better after that, and just trusting your game and you get the ice time from coaches and all that."
It's interesting -- Rakell's rate of shots this season is the second-lowest in his career for a full season, averaging 7.76 per 60 minutes. But he's getting his shot attempts off from better areas. His four years in Pittsburgh are the four best years of his career in terms of rates of high-danger shot attempts, and this year is his third-best at 5.08 per 60 minutes. That's contributed to a shooting percentage of 17.4%, the second-best of his career. Coupled with increased playing time, often alongside Sidney Crosby on the top pair, it's translated to a new career peak for Rakell.
• Ville Koivunen had the secondary assist on Rakell's goal and now has five assists in seven games.
• Phil Tomasino returned to the lineup after sustaining a concussion on April 5. He had the primary assist on Rakell's goal.
• Connor Dewar had a team-high six hits.
• The Penguins had a great tribute to Ray Shero prior to the game:
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