Is There A Goaltending Controversy In Pittsburgh?

After the Penguins’ and beginning goaltender Tristan Jarry’s 6-0 loss to the New York Rangers in Pittsburgh’s season opener, the crew headed to Detroit for the second of a back-to-back. Head coach Mike Sullivan knew he deliberate on naming rookie Joel Blomqvist the starter in opposition to the Pink Wings.

What he did not know is that he would do the identical factor on Saturday in Toronto.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Blomqvist impressed in his NHL debut, stopping 29 of 32 pictures and incomes his first profession win. He made a number of saves in key moments – particularly early on, when Detroit was pressuring – and helped protect the lead for his crew via the tip.

Forward of Saturday’s sport in opposition to Toronto, Sullivan was requested if Blomqvist’s efficiency in Detroit influenced their choice who to start out in internet.

“It had an impression, certainly,” Sullivan stated. “We thought he performed extraordinarily properly.”

Earlier than the sport even occurred, the choice set Penguins’ fan and media circles ablaze. Many referenced the stretch run on the finish of 2023-24, when backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic began 13 straight video games to shut out the common season – together with the ultimate sport of the season in opposition to the New York Islanders, which ended up being meaningless.

Related: Puck Luck, Momentum Swings Doom Penguins As They Fall To Leafs, 4-2

When you put all of this stuff collectively, it doesn’t seem that the group has a excessive diploma of confidence in Jarry. There have been rumors that Jarry was on the commerce block at each the deadline final season and at the start of the summer time, and plenty of are vital of the five-year, $26.88 million contract he was awarded final summer time.

On this state of affairs, there are a couple of contextual elements to think about.

For one, Nedeljkovic is skating with the crew and made the street journey. It’s doable that he’s near a return, and the Penguins merely needed to make sure that Blomqvist bought one other begin earlier than being despatched again to the AHL. It is smart for Pittsburgh to provide their promising rookie goaltender as a lot expertise as doable.

As well as, giving Blomqvist a second consecutive begin in opposition to an elite NHL crew rewards him for his good efficiency within the first sport, which is a giant confidence builder for a younger goaltender. The very last thing a crew needs is for his or her prime goaltending prospect to lose traction and confidence, particularly if he figures to be a giant a part of the crew’s future.

Related: Penguins At Leafs Game Preview: Bunting Returns To Toronto, Rookie Gets The Call

However should you take a look at this identical state of affairs via the lens of Jarry, it is actually not superb. For a similar causes you do not need to disrupt the boldness of your younger goaltender, you do not need to bitter the boldness of the primary goaltender in your depth chart.

Sullivan stated repeatedly all through coaching camp that the crew was impressed with Jarry’s form coming into camp and that they had been actually pleased with the work he put in over the summer time. So, when that very same coach would not return to him in a giant sport on Hockey Evening in Canada after one tough begin in opposition to one of many NHL’s prime groups – and in favor of a rookie, at that – it is not precisely a glowing endorsement.

When requested concerning the goaltending state of affairs with Jarry on Sunday, issues bought somewhat testy:

It is going to be fascinating to see how issues shake out with the goaltending state of affairs this season. But when Blomqvist continues to impress, it could simply make one in every of Jarry or Nedeljkovic expendable.

Groups want goaltending assist all through the season. The Penguins have loads of depth on the goaltending place of their group.

So, the approaching days – similar to Blomqvist’s efficiency in Detroit – may have an effect on the Penguins’ goaltending plans trying ahead to the remainder of the season.

Related: Malkin Hits Milestone, Penguins Defeat Red Wings, 6-3