(Updated) Hellberg Called Up, Nedeljkovic to Start vs. Islanders

Magnus Hellberg was called up Sunday a few hours before the Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the LA Kings, 2-1, at PPG Paints Arena, but that’s not the end of the story.

Coach Mike Sullivan said Hellberg was recalled because one of the goalies was feeling under the weather, and the Penguins wanted to make sure they were covered.

Tristan Jarry started, and Nedeljkovic backed up Sunday, but Hellberg was on the ice Tuesday morning during the Penguins’ morning skate. So was Jarry.

Nedeljkovic was not.

UPDATE: Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed Nedeljkovic would start against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. A team source said it was expected that Hellberg would be demoted Tuesday afternoon.

This season, Hellberg has played in three games with solid results, posting a 2.50 goals-against-average and a .922 save percentage. He finished Jarry’s shutout in Anaheim on Nov. 7 when Jarry was struck in the face by a shot and had to leave the game.

Hellberg, 32, won the following game as the Penguins beat LA at the Crypto.com Arena on Nov. 9. The 6-foot-6 goalie has spent parts of seven seasons in the NHL with the Nashville Predators, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings and the Penguins.

He has played 17 games in the AHL this season for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, posting a .901 save percentage.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now has updated the story.