Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic is scheduled to make his debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins in Saturday’s home game against the Calgary Flames at PPG Paints Arena.
Coach Mike Sullivan announced Nedeljkovic’s status approximately two hours before the game.
A free agent signing this past offseason, Nedeljkovic played in three games during the preseason and posted a 0-2-0 record, a 2.47 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.
Last season, as a member of the Detroit Red Wings, Nedeljkovic played in 15 games and had a 5-7-2 record, a 3.53 goals against average and an .895 save percentage.
Nedeljkovic has played the Flames only once in his seven-year career. During a 3-0 home loss as a member of the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 21, 2021, Nedeljkovic made 26 saves on 28 shots.
Notes:
• Sullivan indicated forward Noel Acciari was fine after being struck in the head by a puck late in a 4-0 road win against the Washington Capitals Friday.
• Having traveled overnight from Washington, the Penguins did not stage a morning skate Saturday.
• Penguins forward Matt Nieto has 199 career points.
• The Flames did hold a morning skate. Their lines and pairs were:
10 Jonathan Huberdeau - 28 Elias Lindholm - 88 Andrew Mangiapane
63 Adam Ruzicka - 91 Nazem Kadri - 29 Dillon Dube
20 Blake Coleman - 11 Mikael Backlund - 27 Matt Coronato
18 A.J. Greer - 17 Yegor Sharangovich - 71 Walker Duehr
55 Noah Hanifin - 4 Rasmus Andersson
28 Nikita Zadorov - 52 MacKenzie Weegar
48 Dennis Gilbert - 8 Chris Tanev
• Flames goaltender Jakob Markstrom is scheduled to start. In his only game so far this season, he orchestrated a 5-3 home win against the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday by making 34 saves on 37 shots.
In nine career games against the Penguins, Markstrom has a 6-3-0 record, a 1.99 goals against average, a .941 save percentage and one shutout.
• Hanifin has played in 599 career games.
