Penguins to start goaltender Casey DeSmith against Sabres

The Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Casey DeSmith for Sunday’s road game against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.

His status was announced via statement from a team spokesperson.

In 17 games this season, DeSmith has a 10-5-0 record along with a 2.40 goals against average, a .912 save percentage and two shutouts.

Each of DeSmith’s shutouts have come against the Sabres. In fact, dating to the 2018-19 season, DeSmith has recorded three consecutive shutouts versus the Sabres. He currently has a shutout sequence of 179:52 against Buffalo.

Notes:

• With the NHL’s 23-man roster limit lifted following the trade deadline on Monday, the Penguins activated defenseman Mark Friedman from injured reserve. He had carried that designation since March 8 due to a suspected head injury.

In two games with the Penguins this season, Friedman has two points (one goal, one assist).

• Rookie forward Anthony Angello was recalled from the taxi squad to the NHL roster. In 19 games this season, Angello has four points (two goals, two assists).

• The Sabres recalled defenseman Mattias Samuelsson from Rochester of the American Hockey League. The son of former Penguins defenseman Kjell Samuelsson, Mattias Samuelsson could make his NHL debut on Sunday. A second-round pick (No. 32 overall), Samuelsson has played in 19 AHL games this season and has 11 points (three goals, eight assists).

• Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Dustin Tokarski is scheduled to start his second consecutive game for the Sabres. During Saturday’s 3-2 home loss to the Penguins, Tokarski made 38 saves on 41 shots.

In eight games this season, Tokarski has a 1-5-2 record, a 3.30 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

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