Goaltender Tristan Jarry is expected start for the Penguins in their season-opening home contest against the Arizona Coyotes at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday.
It marks the third consecutive season Jarry has been the Penguins’ starter in net for a season-opener.
A two-time All-Star, Jarry appeared in 58 games last season and had a 34-18-6 record, a 2.42 goals against average, a .919 save percentage and six shutouts.
Notes:
• Penguins forward Teddy Blueger is not expected to play in Thursday’s game. He has been hobbled by an undisclosed injury that he suffered during a practice on Sept. 28.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan labeled Blueger as “day to day.” Blueger participated in Thursday’s optional morning skate, albeit in a non-contact capacity.
• In addition to Blueger, those who participated in the skate included forwards Josh Archibald, Jeff Carter, Ryan Poehling and Rickard Rakell; defensemen P.O Joseph, Jeff Petry, Marcus Pettersson, Chad Ruhwedel and Jan Rutta; and goaltenders Casey DeSmith and Jarry.
• Petry, Poehling and Rutta are scheduled to make their debuts for the Penguins after joining the team in the offseason.
• The Coyotes are expected to start goaltender Karel Vejmelka. In 52 games last season, Vejmelka had a 13-32-3 record, a 3.68 goals against average, an .898 save percentage and one shutout.
• Coyotes defenseman Juuso Valimaki, a native of Finland, will not be available for this game due to immigration issues. The Coyotes acquired Valimaki from the Flames through waivers on Sunday and he has yet to acquire a work visa within the United States.
• This will be the second time the Penguins have faced the Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets franchise in a season opener. The previous occasion was a 4-2 home win at the Civic Arena on Oct. 10, 1979.
Forward George Ferguson scored two goals for the Penguins while goaltender Greg Millen, made 26 saves in the victory. For the Jets, that was their first game in the NHL after joining the league as part of the merger with the World Hockey Association.
