The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to start rookie goaltender Joel Blomqvist in Monday’s home game against the Dallas Stars at PPG Paints Arena.
Additionally, Alex Nedeljkovic will serve as the backup goaltender.
Coach Mike Sullivan announced the status of his goaltenders following an optional morning skate in Cranberry.
In seven games this season, Blomqvist has posted a 3-4-0 record, a 3.25 goals against average and a .913 save percentage. He has never faced the Stars.
Goaltender Tristan Jarry, recalled from a conditioning stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Saturday, is slated to be a healthy scratch.
Notes:
• The Penguins recalled forward Sam Poulin from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Monday morning. He is that team’s second-leading scorer with nine points (three goals, six assists) in 11 games.
In a corresponding transaction, forward Kevin Hayes was placed on injured reserve due to an undisclosed ailment that has sidelined him for the past two games.
Based on how players exited the ice for the optional morning skate, Poulin will likely be a healthy scratch. He remained on the ice for approximately an hour while other forwards were on the rink for only 20 minutes, approximately.
• Those who participated in the optional morning skate included:
Forwards – Blake Lizotte, Poulin, Valtteri Puustinen
Defensemen – Ryan Shea, Jack St. Ivany
Goaltenders – Blomqvist, Jarry, Nedeljkovic
• Penguins forward Sidney Crosby has 598 career goals.
The Stars are expected to start goaltender Jake Oettinger. In nine games this season, Oettinger has a 6-3-0 record, a 2.60 goals against average, a .910 save percentage.
Throughout his career, Oettinger has posted strong numbers against the Penguins. In five contests against the Penguins, he has a 4-1-0 record, a 1.81 goals against average and a .943 save percentage.
• Stars defenseman Brendan Smith has played in 699 career games.
