The Penguins have an embarrassment of riches at the goalie position. In addition to Alex Nedeljkovic who is back in the starting role at Pittsburgh (after his Friday rehab appearance for Wilkes Barre Scranton), Joel Blomqvist has emerged as a steady force with the team sooner than expected. Because of Nedeljkovic's preseason injury, Blomqvist has been traveling and playing in the NHL instead of with the AHL Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins.
In Blomqvist's absence, Filip Larsson is getting valuable playing time and coming off a career-first shutout for WBS over the Lehigh Valley Phantom on Saturday. Larsson saved 41 shots. In 117 minutes of play, he has 72 saves and has earned a 1-1 record.
🚨BRICK WALL ALERT🚨
— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) October 20, 2024
Filip Larsson stops all 41 SHOTS FACED for his FIRST AHL SHUTOUT tonight pic.twitter.com/CkRCBPwH3P
Larsson was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft in the sixth round at 167th overall. The Stockholm native has spent the majority of his playing career at home in Sweden. He signed a two year contract with the Penguins in April 2024.
Larsson makes Penguins goalie situation more interesting
Currently, the Pittsburgh Penguins have three goalies traveling on the West Coast/Canadian road trip. Nedeljkovic, Blomqvist, and Tristan Jarry.
Alex Nedeljkovic makes his regular season debut for the Penguins today! Joel Blomqvist will back him up @SNPittsburgh pic.twitter.com/ks0vYJbiCl
— Hailey Hunter (@TheHaileyHunter) October 20, 2024
Nedeljkovic played the entire Winnipeg game on Sunday and appears to be fully recovered. That means the Penguins need to make a decision on his backup. Tristan Jarry has fallen flat so far this season and not played since Wednesday when he was removed after the Buffalo Sabres took a 3-0 lead in the first period.
Could Jarry be out of a job with Blomqvist's clutch performances? If Larsson continues to impress, could he be brought up sometime this season?
Upcoming games
WBS travels to Syracuse for a Friday, October 25 game starting at 7 PM ET. The team is tied for first place in the WHL Atlantic Division with a 3-1 record.
Pittsburgh travels to Calgary for a Tuesday, October 22 game starting at 9:30 PM ET. The team is 3-4 and in fifth place in the NHL Metropolitan Division behind the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, and New York Islanders.