Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic scheduled to start against Predators

The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic for a vital contest against the Nashville Predators in their regular season home finale at PPG Paints Arena on Monday.

Failing to get at least a point will end the Penguins’ hopes of qualifying for the postseason.

Coach Mike Sullivan announced Nedeljkovic’s status following a morning skate.

This will be Nedeljkovic’s 12th consecutive start. The team has gone 7-1-3 since he supplanted Tristan Jarry as the undeclared starter March 24.

During a 6-4 home loss to the Boston Bruins on Saturday, Nedeljkovic was pulled after allowing three goals on 16 shots in 31:35 of ice time and replaced by Jarry, who allowed two goals on 14 shots in 26:27 of ice time, incurring the loss on his record.

What led to the Penguins turning to Nedeljkovic yet again?

“We look at it from a number of different vantage points,” Sullivan said. “At the end of the day, we’re trying to answer the question which guys give us the best chance to win tonight, this given night. But, we take all of those things into consideration when we’re making these types of decisions. They’re not easy ones. (Nedeljkovic and Jarry) have both done a terrific job for us in goal this year and given us a chance to win. We think most recently, (Nedeljkovic has) helped us win a bunch of games. So, that’s the direction we went tonight. But, by no means does it suggest it’s one over the other. We’re looking at this one game tonight right in front of us.”

In 36 games this season, Nedeljkovic has a 17-6-7 record, a 2.93 goals against average, a .903 save percentage and one shutout.

Throughout his career, Nedeljkovic has faced the Predators in five games and posted a 2-3-0 record, with a 2.41 goals against average and a .912 save percentage.

Notes:

• Penguins forward Jansen Harkins, currently designated to long-term injured reserve due to a right hand injury, is expected to return to the lineup after missing the past 19 games since being injured in a fight against Washington Capitals forward Beck Malenstyn on March 7.

During a recent conditioning stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL), Harkins appeared in three AHL games and scored three points (one goal, two assists).

Primarily stationed on the fourth line with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Harkins has appeared in 43 NHL contests this season and recorded four assists while averaging 8:12 of ice time per game.

• Penguins forward Lars Eller and defenseman Kris Letang were each absent from the morning skate but both will be available for the game according to Sullivan.

Over the past week, Eller (illness) and Letang (“maintenance”) have been absent from practices and morning skates due to unspecified maladies.

• Penguins forward Noel Acciari was a participant in the morning skate, wearing a non-contact jersey. Currently designated to long-term injured reserve, he has missed the past 10 games due to an undisclosed injury and is not eligible to rejoin the active roster until after the conclusion of the regular season.

• Acciari and Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves each worked out on the ice prior to the morning skate. Graves (concussion) is also designated to long-term injured reserve and can not rejoin the active roster until the conclusion of the regular season.

• Penguins forward Bryan Rust has 199 career assists.

• The Predators are expected to start goaltender Juuse Saros. In 63 games this season, Saros has a 35-23-5 record, a 2.84 goals against average, a .906 save percentage and three shutouts.

Throughout his career, Saros has played the Penguins in eight games and posted a 3-3-0 record, a 2.50 goals against average and .930 save percentage.

• The Predators have already secured a playoff berth and can clinch the first Wild Card position in the Western Conference by earning a point.