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Pittsburgh Penguins News
Nedeljkovic will start on Tuesday in New York.

The Penguins, winners of two straight, will roll with Nedeljkovic between the pipes for a third consecutive game on Tuesday when they visit the New York Islanders. Despite an unspectacular 2.75 GAA and .903 SV% through five games (2-2-1), Nedeljkovic has been tremendous in his last two outings (2-0-0), saving a combined 47 of 49 shots (.959 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Tuesday as +112 road underdogs against an Islanders club with only 28 goals through 12 games this season, the second-fewest in the NHL.

Alex Nedeljkovic
Nedeljkovic will start Saturday vs. the Canadiens.

Nedeljkovic allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Penguins' win over the Ducks on Thursday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Nedeljkovic to open the season and moved him to a 3.18 GAA and .890 SV% through four games. On Saturday, Nedeljkovic and the Penguins are -178 home favourites vs. the Canadiens.

Alex Nedeljkovic
Nedeljkovic was the first goalie off the ice at the Penguins morning skate; likely to start Saturday vs. Montreal.

Nedeljkovic allowed one goal on 23 shots in the Penguins' win over the Ducks on Thursday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Nedeljkovic to open the season and moved him to a 3.18 GAA and .890 SV% through four games. On Saturday, Nedeljkovic and the Penguins are -178 home favourites vs. the Canadiens.

Alex Nedeljkovic
Lizotte (concussion) will make his Penguins debut on Thursday.

Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but is finally ready to make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.

Blake Lizotte
Nedeljkovic will start on Thursday vs. Anaheim.

The Penguins are in a heap of trouble, being outscored 27-13 during a six-game losing skid (0-5-1), and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes. Unsurprisingly, given the Penguins' struggles, Nedeljkovic is still searching for his first victory, sporting a troubling 3.94 GAA and .874 SV% in three games (0-2-1). Despite his struggles, Nedeljkovic has kept his team afloat at times, especially early in games, saving 34 of 35 first-period shots on goal (.971 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as rare -176 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has only scored 21 goals this season, the fewest in the league.

Alex Nedeljkovic
Lizotte (concussion) will be a game-time decision on Thursday vs. Anaheim.

Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but could make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.

Blake Lizotte
Nedeljkovic was the first goalie off the ice at Pittsburgh's morning skate.

The Penguins are in a heap of trouble, being outscored 27-13 during a six-game losing skid (0-5-1), and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes. Unsurprisingly, given the Penguins' struggles, Nedeljkovic is still searching for his first victory, sporting a troubling 3.94 GAA and .874 SV% in three games (0-2-1). Despite his struggles, Nedeljkovic has kept his team afloat at times, especially early in games, saving 34 of 35 first-period shots on goal (.971 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as rare -176 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has only scored 21 goals this season, the fewest in the league.

Alex Nedeljkovic
Ponomarev has been activated from Injured//Non-Roster and assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Ponomarev was the 53rd overall pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL Draft. The 22-year-old had a two-game stint with the Hurricanes in the 2022-23 season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has predominantly been an AHL player so far in his career.

Vasily Ponomarev
Rust (lower-body) is week-to-week.

Rust left Saturday's game after a hit from Nils Hollander in the third period and did not return. Rust finished the game with one goal on two SOG and a plus-1 rating. Rust's absence from the lineup is a major blow for a Penguins club that is riding a five-game losing skid. Rickard Rakell will likely be the beneficiary, moving up to the top line and top powerplay unit.

Bryan Rust
Blomqvist will start on Tuesday vs. Minnesota.

The Penguins are ranked worst in the league defensively, allowing an average of 4.3 goals per game, and are desperate to snap a five-game losing skid. Their most consistent netminder this season has been Blomqvist, and he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Blomqvist owns an unimpressive 3.34 GAA but, given the circumstances, has a very impressive .911 SV% in five games (2-3-0). The Penguins enter action on Tuesday as +103 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild.

Joel Blomqvist
Blomqvist was the first goalie off the ice at Pittsburgh's morning skate.

The Penguins are ranked worst in the league defensively, allowing an average of 4.3 goals per game, and are desperate to snap a five-game losing skid. Their most consistent netminder this season has been Blomqvist, and he will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Blomqvist owns an unimpressive 3.34 GAA but, given the circumstances, has a very impressive .911 SV% in five games (2-3-0). The Penguins enter action on Tuesday as +103 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild.

Joel Blomqvist
Rust (lower-body) remained away from practice on Monday and is still being evaluated.

Rust left Saturday's game after a hit from Nils Hollander in the third period and did not return. Rust finished the game with one goal on two SOG and a plus-1 rating. Consider him questionable to play Tuesday until the Penguins provide an official update.

Bryan Rust
Nieto (lower-body) returned to practice in a regular contact jersey on Monday.

Nieto underwent knee surgery in May after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season and is nearly six months into his original six to seven month recovery timeline. The 31-year-old left winger appeared in 22 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24 and had a goal, four points, 13 SOG and a +5 plus/minus in his first season with the team.

Matthew Nieto
The Penguins have assigned Tristan Jarry to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) on a conditioning loan.

Jarry struggled in his first three appearances of the season, posting a 5.47 GAA and .836 SV%. This week the Penguins carried Alex Nedeljkovic and Joel Blomqvist as their goalies on their road trip, while Jarry was in Pittsburgh. Rather than sitting and not playing, he'll get a chance to work on his game in the AHL on a conditioning assignment.

Tristan Jarry
Blomqvist will start on Friday in Edmonton.

After rolling with Alex Nedeljkovic for two straight games (0-1-1), the Penguins will turn back to Blomqvist between the pipes on Friday evening against the Edmonton Oilers. The Penguins have had suspect goaltending all season, ranking worst in the league with 35 goals allowed in eight games (3-4-1), but have had a glimmer of stability with Blomqvist in the crease. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has a 3.16 GAA and .908 SV% in four outings this season (2-2-0). The Penguins enter action on Friday as +191 road underdogs against the Oilers.

Joel Blomqvist