Pittsburgh Penguins News

The Penguins are in a heap of trouble, being outscored 27-13 during a six-game losing skid (0-5-1), and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes. Unsurprisingly, given the Penguins' struggles, Nedeljkovic is still searching for his first victory, sporting a troubling 3.94 GAA and .874 SV% in three games (0-2-1). Despite his struggles, Nedeljkovic has kept his team afloat at times, especially early in games, saving 34 of 35 first-period shots on goal (.971 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as rare -176 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has only scored 21 goals this season, the fewest in the league.

Lizotte suffered a concussion during training camping and has missed the first 11 games of the season, but could make his debut on Thursday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old signed a two-year, $3.7 million contract in the offseason with Pittsburgh after five solid seasons in Los Angeles. In 62 games in 2023-24, Lizotte had seven goals, 15 points, 76 SOG and 20 PIMs while averaging just 11:49 TOI/GP.

The Penguins are in a heap of trouble, being outscored 27-13 during a six-game losing skid (0-5-1), and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes. Unsurprisingly, given the Penguins' struggles, Nedeljkovic is still searching for his first victory, sporting a troubling 3.94 GAA and .874 SV% in three games (0-2-1). Despite his struggles, Nedeljkovic has kept his team afloat at times, especially early in games, saving 34 of 35 first-period shots on goal (.971 SV%). The Penguins enter the action on Thursday as rare -176 home favorites against an Anaheim Ducks club that has only scored 21 goals this season, the fewest in the league.

Ponomarev was the 53rd overall pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2020 NHL Draft. The 22-year-old had a two-game stint with the Hurricanes in the 2022-23 season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has predominantly been an AHL player so far in his career.

Rust left Saturday's game after a hit from Nils Hollander in the third period and did not return. Rust finished the game with one goal on two SOG and a plus-1 rating. Rust's absence from the lineup is a major blow for a Penguins club that is riding a five-game losing skid. Rickard Rakell will likely be the beneficiary, moving up to the top line and top powerplay unit.

The Penguins are ranked worst in the league defensively, allowing an average of 4.3 goals per game, and are desperate to snap a five-game losing skid. Their most consistent netminder this season has been Blomqvist, and he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Blomqvist owns an unimpressive 3.34 GAA but, given the circumstances, has a very impressive .911 SV% in five games (2-3-0). The Penguins enter action on Tuesday as +103 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild.

The Penguins are ranked worst in the league defensively, allowing an average of 4.3 goals per game, and are desperate to snap a five-game losing skid. Their most consistent netminder this season has been Blomqvist, and he will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Blomqvist owns an unimpressive 3.34 GAA but, given the circumstances, has a very impressive .911 SV% in five games (2-3-0). The Penguins enter action on Tuesday as +103 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild.

Rust left Saturday's game after a hit from Nils Hollander in the third period and did not return. Rust finished the game with one goal on two SOG and a plus-1 rating. Consider him questionable to play Tuesday until the Penguins provide an official update.

Nieto underwent knee surgery in May after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season and is nearly six months into his original six to seven month recovery timeline. The 31-year-old left winger appeared in 22 games with Pittsburgh in 2023-24 and had a goal, four points, 13 SOG and a +5 plus/minus in his first season with the team.

Rust left Saturday's game after a hit from Nils Hollander in the third period and did not return. Rust finished the game with one goal on two SOG and a plus-1 rating. Consider him questionable to play Tuesday until the Penguins provide an update.

Jarry struggled in his first three appearances of the season, posting a 5.47 GAA and .836 SV%. This week the Penguins carried Alex Nedeljkovic and Joel Blomqvist as their goalies on their road trip, while Jarry was in Pittsburgh. Rather than sitting and not playing, he'll get a chance to work on his game in the AHL on a conditioning assignment.

After rolling with Alex Nedeljkovic for two straight games (0-1-1), the Penguins will turn back to Blomqvist between the pipes on Friday evening against the Edmonton Oilers. The Penguins have had suspect goaltending all season, ranking worst in the league with 35 goals allowed in eight games (3-4-1), but have had a glimmer of stability with Blomqvist in the crease. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has a 3.16 GAA and .908 SV% in four outings this season (2-2-0). The Penguins enter action on Friday as +191 road underdogs against the Oilers.

After rolling with Alex Nedeljkovic for two straight games (0-1-1), the Penguins will likely turn back to Blomqvist between the pipes on Friday evening against the Edmonton Oilers. The Penguins have had suspect goaltending all season, ranking worst in the league with 35 goals allowed in eight games (3-4-1), but have had a glimmer of stability with Blomqvist in the crease. The 22-year-old Blomqvist has a 3.16 GAA and .908 SV% in four outings this season (2-2-0). The Penguins enter action on Friday as +191 road underdogs against the Oilers.

St. Ivany will re-enter the lineup after being a healthy scratch in Winnipeg on Sunday. Ryan Shea will sit in his absence.

Shea will get the night off as Jack St. Ivany draws back into the lineup. Shea has played two games and is yet to register a point this season.

Tristan Jarry will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game as Alex Nedeljkovic will be the starting netminder and backed up by Joel Blomqvist on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. The 29-year-old Jarry lost the trust of the Penguins coaching staff late in the 2023-24 season and is trending in that same direction this season. In three games (1-1-0), Jarry has an ugly 5.47 GAA and .836 SV%.

The Penguins will turn to Nedeljkovic for a second straight game on Tuesday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Nedeljkovic made his season debut on Sunday, returning from an injury, and was excellent in the first period, saving all 11 shots he faced before ultimately allowing five goals on 36 shots (.861 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. The Penguins are desperate to find some stability in their crease after allowing three or more goals in each game this season, being outscored 31-24 for seven games (3-4-0). The Penguins enter action as +101 road underdogs against the Flames.