Penguins rookie goaltender Joel Blomqvist scheduled to start against Rangers

Pittsburgh Penguins rookie goaltender Joel Blomqvist is scheduled to start Sunday’s game against the New York Rangers at PPG Paints Arena.

His status was announced via a statement from the team approximately two hours before the opening faceoff.

In 12 games this season, Blomqvist has a 3-8-0 record, a 3.68 goals against average and an .893 save percentage.

He has never faced the Rangers in his career.

Notes:

• Penguins forward Bryan Rust remains sidelined due to an illness. Currently designated to injured reserve, Rust has missed the Penguins’ two most recent games due to an undisclosed injury (Feb. 8) and illness (Saturday).

Typically deployed on the top line and the top power-play unit, Rust has appeared in 48 games this season and has scored 42 points (20 goals, 22 assists) while averaging 19:32 of ice time.

• Penguins forward Boko Imama remains sidelined. He has missed the past two games due to an undisclosed ailment.

In six games this season, Imama has no points while averaging 5:28 of ice time per contest.

• Penguins forward Rickard Rakell has 498 career points.

• The Rangers are expected to start goaltender Igor Shesterkin. In 40 games this season, he had an 18-20-2 record, a 2.98 goals against average, a .903 save percentage and three shutouts.

Throughout his career, Shesterkin has faced the Penguins in 16 contests and has posted a 9-6-1 record, a 2.01 goals against average, a .927 save percentage and three shutouts.

• Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick has played in 799 career games.

• Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey has 99 career goals.

• The opening faceoff is scheduled for 3:52 p.m.