Moments before their game at PPG Paints Arena vs. the Montreal Canadiens got underway Thursday, the Pittsburgh Penguins made a roster move, reassigning netminder Magnus Hellberg to Wilkes-Barre-Scranton of the American Hockey League.
Hellberg, 32, was called up to Pittsburgh on Feb. 19 under emergency conditions, when either Tristan Jarry or Alex Nedeljkovic — coach Mike Sullivan did not specify whom — was under the weather.
Thankfully for the Penguins, neither Jarry or Nedeljkovic missed any time, resulting in an uneventful stint with the Penguins this time around for Hellberg.
The same could not be said of Hellberg’s recall earlier this season.
On Oct. 28 and Nov. 7, Hellberg made relief appearances, the latter of which coming against the Anaheim Ducks when Jarry was forced to leave the game in the third period due to injury.
After making 11 saves on as many shots in the 2-0 Penguins win, Hellberg started for the Penguins in their next contest, making 33 saves and helping the club to a 4-3 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings.
Through three NHL games this year, Hellberg is 1-0 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .922 save percentage.
In Wilkes-Barre, where Hellberg has seen the majority of action this season, he’s gone 8-7-2 with a 3.03 GAA and .901 save percentage.
Hellberg’s reassignment creates $785,000 in salary cap space for the Penguins and was the second transaction the club made Thursday, following forward Noel Acciari’s activation from injured reserve.
Additionally, forward Colin White, who was placed on waivers Wednesday, was claimed Thursday afternoon by Montreal in advance of puck drop.
White, sporting No. 36 for the Canadiens as he did in Pittsburgh, immediately got into action vs. his former team, centering Montreal’s fourth line.
