Penguins Tap Blomqvist as Starter; Sullivan Admits Jarry Issues

CRANBERRY, PA — Perhaps it is not a surprise, but the Pittsburgh Penguins will turn to rookie Joel Blomqvist in net Friday when the Penguins host the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena.

Goalie Tristan Jarry’s struggles continued Wednesday when he allowed three goals in the first 11:33 of the game against the Buffalo Sabres. The Penguins rallied to win 6-5 in overtime, including a late goal by Rickard Rakell with the extra attacker. In the game, Sidney Crosby registered his 1600th point, and Evgeni Malkin scored his 500th goal. Beyond the milestones was the goalies’s performance.

While Jarry struggled, Blomqvist was sharp. He stopped several breakaways and odd-man rushes as the Penguins’ defensive mistakes mounted and the team tried to erase their 3-1 deficit.

“I think he’s gotten progressively better with every start that he’s had. You know, we were really encouraged after his first start, the exhibition game in Buffalo, which wasn’t the greatest experience. We were so encouraged by how he reacted to that,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “That (type of game) could potentially affect young goalies, their confidence, whatever it may be, but it certainly didn’t with him. He just went back to work, and he’s gotten progressively better with every start.”

So, he’ll start again Friday.

Sullivan also admitted Jarry is struggling. Whereas he chided the media for “overthinking” the situation on Saturday in Montreal, there’s no longer much confusion to question Jarry’s spot as the No. 1 goalie.

Read More: Kingerski: Penguins Officially Have a Jarry Problem

He’s essentially lost his role and playing time until he reclaims it. The team activated backup or 1A goalie Alex Nedeljkovic from injured reserve Thursday and assigned him to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on a conditioning assignment. Those assignments can last up to 14 days.

“Obviously, we don’t have Tristan’s best right now, but when you look at his body of work here in the years that he’s been here, there’s been significant aspects of his game that have been very strong,” Sullivan said. “Part of our responsibility is to try to help (Jarry) capture his very best game. And that’s what we’re trying to do. And so the season’s young, it’s early, and we’re going to do our best as a coaching staff to try to help (Jarry) get to his very best game.”

This season, Jarry has struggled in two of his three starts, posting an .836 save percentage and a woeful 5.47 goals-against average. In three appearances, Blomqvist has a .913 save percentage and 2.86 GAA. Going back to last season, Jarry has started only three of the Penguins’ last 18 games. Last season, Sullivan benched Jarry for the final 13 games, opting for Nedeljkovic as the Penguins were 8-1-3 in the 12 meaningful games before being eliminated before the final game of the season.