Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic was struck in the head by an errant puck during the first period of Tuesday’s game at PPG Paints Arena and left the bench.
Nedeljkovic, who did not start vs. the Colorado Avalanche and was seated at the far end of the Penguins bench (normal procedure for a backup goalie), was assisted to the locker room by team officials with just under eight minutes remaining in the opening period.
As the second period began, Nedeljkovic remained absent but then returned to his usual seat less than three minutes into things.
Coach Mike Sullivan said postgame that Nedeljkovic was fine, but required a few stiches.
Alex Nedeljkovic was hit by a puck on the bench in the 1st period and he's rocking a NASTY scar ???????? pic.twitter.com/jZtEDKGhHH
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 11, 2024
Penguins forward Blake Lizotte suffered a similarly freakish incident during the preseason, when he was concussed after being hit by a stray puck on the bench.
The accident caused Lizotte to miss roughly the first three weeks of the regular season.
