It was nothing short of a goaltending marathon for Pittsburgh Penguins Alex Nedeljkovic in their nail-biting faceoff against the Montreal Canadiens.
Facing a barrage of 42 shots, Nedeljkovic’s night was far from over after the final horn of regulation. He found himself as the last line of defense in a tension-filled overtime, tasked with stopping the Habs relentless offense. But the real test of endurance came in the shootout.
In a grueling 12-round shootout that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Habs managed to slip the puck past him on 3 occasions. Yet, it was Nedeljkovic’s critical save against Josh Anderson that turned the tides. This pivotal moment set the stage for Jansen Harkins, who seized the opportunity to clinch a dramatic 4-3 victory for the Penguins.
My Grade on Alex Nedeljkovic’s Performance
Nedeljkovic’s Most ‘Intense’ Moment of his Career
During a post-game interview, Nedeljkovic took a moment to reflect on the ‘intense’ shootout, a first-of-its-kind experience for him with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Prior to this, his longest shootout stretched to five or six rounds. But this 12-round battle was a new peak in his career, a challenge he not only met but also relished.
Nedeljkovic’s involvement in the game took on an additional layer of importance considering the historic milestone reached by Sidney Crosby, who surpassed Paul Coffey in all-time points. It was a night of individual achievements and team success, topping in a hard-earned victory.
His comments, filled with excitement and respect for the game’s intensity, offer an insightful glimpse into a night that wasn’t just about winning but also about making history. Check out Nedeljkovic’s comments on the Penguins shootout victory in the post-game interview below.
Nedeljkovic on the 12-round shootout: "I think five or six rounds is the most I've ever been through. It was intense. It was a lot of fun... It was really loud there when a couple of those guys started going at the end. That was cool to be a part of." pic.twitter.com/9NEVVgm4GK
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) December 14, 2023
Nedeljkovic Performing Good in the Crease
Alex Nedeljkovic, as the Penguins’ backup to Tristan Jarry, is quietly sculpting a commendable season, much to the relief of Pens fans who had their share of pre-season jitters about this very role. Together, Jarry and Nedeljkovic are hitting the marks that fans and critics alike hope for – a reassuring sign for the team’s depth in the crease.
For those who missed last night’s game, it was a showcase of Nedeljkovic’s growing prowess. His performance was a standout, not just for the saves but for the poise under pressure. As we progress through the season, it’s going to be fascinating to see how he continues to develop.
Will he rise to be more than just a backup? Only time will tell, but for now, he’s more than holding his own.