What a coincidence that ever since the Penguins decided to send their original starting goalie Tristan Jarry down to the minors, they get good goaltending and start picking up more points in the standings because of it.
Alex Nedeljkovic has been on fire in goal lately for the Penguins and coach Mike Sullivan has been riding the hot hand and giving him most of the starts over rookie Joel Blomqvist. No offense to Blomqvist though, Nedeljkovic is way more experienced and is helping the team win games.
But no matter who is in goal between the two, this tandem can carry the Penguins into the playoffs with a couple months to go in the season.
Sullivan needs to keep starting Nedeljkovic as much as he can unless it's back-to-back
Last season, the Penguins went on a hot streak with Nedeljkovic in goal and that seems to be the case here again as he has received most of the starts unless they're on a back-to-back.
When they are on a back-to-back, Sullivan usually plays Blomqvist on the back end of it because Nedeljkovic played the first game against usually the tougher team. That was the case Friday as Nedeljkovic faced the tougher team in the Rangers and it is assumed Blomqvist will get the Flyers Saturday.
But with the Penguins continuing to pick up points and a huge win Friday night, they need to keep starting Nedeljkovic because he is giving you the best chance to win now every game and he has earned it.
Alex Nedeljkovic helped the @penguins (23-24-9, 55 points) climb within six points of idle Detroit (28-21-5, 61 points), which occupies the Eastern Conference’s final Wild Card spot.#NHLStats: https://t.co/283z60kTst pic.twitter.com/A71QkMbyap
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 8, 2025
Blomqvist has looked good in the limited action he has gotten this season
Yes Nedeljkovic has gotten the majority of the starts for the Penguins lately, but in the action Blomqvist has seen, he has looked good and poised despite some goals given up.
You can tell when he is tending the goal for the Penguins, he looks so calm, cool, and collected and like he is not scared at any puck or opponent that comes near him. That is a good thing for him as he should get more time in goal next season and for seasons to come as a youngster for the club.
Joel Blomqvist against the “wagon” Washington Capitals —
— ChelPenguins (@ChelPenguins) November 9, 2024
• Stopped 32/34
• 2.2 GSAx
• .941 sv% / 2.01 GAA
• 12/13 high-danger saves
• 4-2 win.
Easily his best game of his young career thus far. 22-years-old. He is the future. pic.twitter.com/Ki1HJwWPRh
But no matter who starts in goal between the tandem the rest of the season, the Penguins should feel good and keep collecting points in the standings in the march towards the playoffs.