Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic scheduled to start against Blue Jackets

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic is scheduled to start Friday’s home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena.

Coach Mike Sullivan announced Nedeljkovic’s status during an optional morning skate in Cranberry.

Nedeljkovic has not played since a 4-0 road loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 7. He made 23 saves on 27 shots in the contest.

In 33 games this season, Nedeljkovic has a 12-14-5 record, a 3.17 goals against average, an .891 save percentage and one shutout.

Throughout his career, Nedeljkovic has faced the Blue Jackets in nine contests and posted a 4-1-3 record, a 2.29 goals against average, a .918 save percentage and one shutout.

Notes:

• Per Sullivan, injured forward Tommy Novak did not skate Friday as designed within the parameters of his recovery from an undisclosed injury. He has missed the past four games due to his ailment.

Injured defensemen P.O Joseph (undisclosed — indefinite) and Ryan Shea (suspected left hand or wrist — week to week) each worked out on the ice prior to the morning skate. They remain status quo according to Sullivan.

Forward Emil Bemstrom (undisclosed — day to day) participated in the optional morning skate but is expected to be scratched for the second consecutive game.

• Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson has 199 career goals.

• The Blue Jackets did not stage a morning skate after traveling overnight following a 1-0 home overtime loss to the Florida Panthers on Thursday.

• Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins is scheduled to start Friday’s game after playing on Thursday. Coach Dean Evason announced backup goaltender Danill Tarasov is sidelined due to an illness.

In 45 games this season, Merzlikins has a 22-18-5 record, a 3.00 goals against average, an .897 save percentage and one shutout.

Throughout his career, Merzlikins has played the Penguins in 10 games and has posted a 3-6-0 record, a 3.66 goals against average and an .894 save percentage.

• The Blue Jackets enter Friday with a five-game losing streak (0-4-1) and have been shut out three times over that stretch.

• With a win, the Blue Jackets could sweep a regular season series against the Penguins for the first time. They claimed a 6-2 home win Nov. 15 and a 4-3 shootout road win Oct. 7.

Before moving to the Eastern Conference in 2013-14, the Blue Jackets were members of the Western Conference and regularly played the Penguins once a season. They won their sole contests against the Penguins in the 2002-03 and 2005-06 seasons.