The Pittsburgh Penguins are poised for a crucial match as they gear up to face the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins, who are fighting for a playoff spot, will see Alex Nedeljkovic return to the lineup as starting goaltender following a stint out of the action due to a loss earlier this month. Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed during the optional morning skate in Cranberry that Nedeljkovic, who hasn’t played since March 7, is ready to hit the ice again.
In the last game he played, Nedeljkovic faced the Vegas Golden Knights, making 23 saves on 27 shots but ultimately losing 4-0. This season, across 33 games, he holds a record of 12-14-5, with a 3.17 goals against average and an .891 save percentage. Against the Blue Jackets, he presents an encouraging history; in nine career matches versus the team, he has a 4-1-3 record with a 2.29 goals against average and a .918 save percentage, proving to be a formidable opponent for them.
However, the Penguins are still dealing with injuries that could impact their performance. Injured forward Tommy Novak did not skate today as he continues to recover from an undisclosed injury that has kept him sidelined for the last four games. Alongside him, defensemen P.O Joseph and Ryan Shea also worked out prior to the morning skate, but their statuses remain uncertain. Novak’s absence is particularly felt as he has been a key player, and the team hopes to have him back soon.
Another factor worth noting is that forward Emil Bemstrom participated in the morning skate but is expected to be scratched for the second consecutive game due to an undisclosed issue. These missing players pose a challenge for the Penguins as they navigate the tight schedules leading up to the playoffs.
In a roster adjustment, the Penguins recently re-assigned veteran forward Matt Nieto to the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. This move follows a period where Nieto, who has played 31 games this season, registered merely 1 goal and 3 points. His lower production, alongside a -8 rating, reflects a broader need for younger, impactful players at this critical point in the season. As General Manager Kyle Dubas has indicated, they are looking to freshen up their roster as the playoffs approach.
Heading back to the Blue Jackets, they are in dire straits as they enter this game on a five-game losing streak (0-4-1) and have been shut out three times during this run. They faced a tough match last night against the Florida Panthers, suffering a 1-0 overtime loss, after which they canceled their morning skate to conserve energy. The Blue Jackets will likely start goaltender Danill Tarasov, who holds a 7-8-2 record this season and a 3.51 goals against average. Tarasov previously faced the Penguins and performed admirably, saving 33 out of 36 shots in a previous contest, which they lost 3-2.
What adds an intriguing twist to tonight’s game is the chance for the Blue Jackets to sweep the regular season series against the Penguins. They have had success in their previous two matchups, winning by scores of 6-2 and 4-3 in earlier games. A victory tonight would mark the first time in franchise history they accomplished a season sweep against the Penguins. This heightened stakes only add tension to the already competitive divisional matchup.
With the Penguins clinging to their playoff hopes and the Blue Jackets seeking to turn the tide of recent misfortunes, this game promises to be intense. Fans can expect high energy as both teams understand the importance of the outcome tonight. It’s not just two rivals clashing on the ice; it’s a fight for survival in the race towards a playoff berth for the Penguins and a chance to end a nightmarish stretch for the Blue Jackets.
