Penguins' Domingue 'trying to control' his emotions amid playoff run
From a spicy-pork-and-broccoli-fueled triple-overtime victory to a heart-stopping roller-coaster ride of a Game 3, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Louis Domingue has run the gamut of playoff emotions.
"I'm trying to control my emotions. It's pretty hard, to be honest. It's so new and it's a lot, but we're gonna take it a day at a time and move on," Domingue said after Saturday's wild 7-4 victory over the New York Rangers, per team beat reporter Michelle Crechiolo.
He continued, "From the moment I brought my net outside in the street and put my rollerblades on and played outside and had cars go around my net, this is the film I was playing in my head the whole time."
Domingue, the Penguins' third-string goalie, was unexpectedly thrust into the postseason spotlight thanks to injuries. Regular starter Tristan Jarry hasn't played since April 14 due to a foot injury, while No. 2 option Casey DeSmith will miss the remainder of the playoffs after undergoing core muscle surgery Friday.
DeSmith sustained the injury during the Penguins' Game 1 triple-overtime victory Tuesday. He exited during the second overtime period and Domingue was perfect in relief, stopping all 17 shots he faced before Evgeni Malkin netted the game-winner.
Domingue allowed five goals on 40 shots in the Penguins' Game 2 loss but hopped back into the win column Saturday after making 32 saves on 36 shots.
The 30-year-old played in just two regular-season NHL games this campaign and spent the bulk of his time in the AHL. He suited up for one NHL contest each in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
The puck drops on Game 4 on Monday at 7 p.m. ET. The Penguins hold a 2-1 series lead.