The Pittsburgh Penguins activated goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic from long-term injured reserve (LTIR) and recalled him from a conditioning assignment with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Sunday in advance of a home game against the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena.
Per coach Mike Sullivan, Nedeljkovic is scheduled to start Sunday’s contest.
Nedeljkovic suffered a suspected left knee injury during a 4-1 home loss to the Dallas Stars and was placed on LTIR. During his recovery, he was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for conditioning purposes. His lone start with the AHL Penguins saw him score a goal and make 17 saves on 19 shots in a 4-2 road win against the Providence Bruins on Friday.
In two NHL games this season, Nedeljkovic has a 1-1-0 record, a 3.01 goals against average and a .914 save percentage.
A free agent signing this past offseason, Nedeljkovic has a one-year contract that carries a salary cap hit of $1.5 million.
Nedeljkovic has played the Golden Knights in only one game over his seven-year career. As a member of the Detroit Red Wings, Nedeljkovic replaced starter Thomas Greiss — another former Penguins goaltender — and made nine saves on 10 shots in a 5-2 road loss Nov. 18, 2021.
In a corresponding transaction, goaltender Magnus Hellberg was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Recalled under emergency roster conditions Oct. 26, Hellberg has appeared in three NHL games this season and has a 1-0-0 record, a 2.50 goals against average and a .922 save percentage.
Also a free agent signing this past offseason, Hellberg has a one-year contract with a salary cap hit of $785,000.
Notes:
• Per Sullivan, forward Vinnie Hinostroza will not be in the lineup for Sunday’s contest due to an undisclosed injury. During a 4-2 road loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Hinostroza left the ice at 9:28 of the second period and did not return.
• Sullivan offered some clarity on defenseman P.O Joseph being placed on injured reserve Saturday and indicated he was given that designation Nov. 4, a day after his most recent game, a 10-2 road win against the San Jose Sharks. Sullivan stated Joseph was injured after that game.
• The Golden Knights are scheduled to start goaltender Adin Hill. In 10 games this season, Hill has an 8-1-1 record, a 2.07 goals against average, .928 save percentage and two shutouts.
Throughout his career, Hill has faced the Penguins in three games and has a 1-0-2 record, a 2.27 goals against average and a .931 save percentage.
• The Vegas Golden Knights are one of three active NHL franchises the Penguins have never recorded a shutout against. The others are the Minnesota Wild and Seattle Kraken.
