Pittsburgh Penguins’ goalie Tristan Jarry leaves Winter Classic early with groin injury

With all eyes on the 2023 Winter Classic, the drama has intensified with the groin injury to Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry.

Jarry suffered the injury partway through the first period after tweaking his groin during game play. He attempted to play through it, but was clearly struggling, and left to the locker room after the next commercial break. He had stopped all eight shots that he faced in 15:30 of play, with the game still scoreless when he left the game.

Jarry’s been a stabilizing presence in the Penguins crease this season with a 15-5-4 record, a .917 save percentage, and 4.72 goals saved above expected. It’s more or less what he’s been throughout his career, as he’s only had one season with a save percentage below .917 since becoming the starter.

A second round pick in the 2013 draft for the Penguins, Jarry has spent his entire professional career in the Penguins organization, including seven seasons with the Penguins. He’s in the final year of a three year contract with a $3.5 million cap hit, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Casey DeSmith took over in the crease for the Penguins after Jarry left, with the Pens usual emergency backup goalie Mike Chiasson also at Fenway Park, as he joined the team for the trip. DeSmith has a 4-6-2 record on the year, with a .912 save percentage and 3.13 goals saved above expected.

It’s not exactly how the Penguins wanted to start the Winter Classic and the new year, as they find themselves on a bit of a skid after losing four games in a row and five of their last six. They currently sit fifth in the Metropolitan division with a 19-11-6 record, although they’re still well within fighting range in the division, as they’re just five points back of the New Jersey Devils for second.