Sullivan starting Blomqvist vs. Canes: We don't have Jarry's 'best right now'
For the second time this season, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan is giving rookie goalie Joel Blomqvist the start in a non-back-to-back situation.
"He's gotten progressively better with every start that he's gotten," the bench boss explained ahead of Friday's clash against the Carolina Hurricanes, per NHL.com's Wes Crosby. "So he's obviously a quality goaltender, and he's playing extremely well right now."
The decision comes amidst Tristan Jarry's struggles to start the season. The veteran has recorded an .836 save percentage and 5.47 goals against average across three appearances while ranking near the basement of the league in goals saved above expected (minus-2.67) and goals saved above average (minus-4.27), per Evolving-Hockey. Jarry was pulled in his latest appearance Wednesday after allowing three goals on five shots in the first period against the Buffalo Sabres.
Despite Jarry's rough ride, Sullivan made it clear the Penguins aren't giving up on him.
"So obviously, we don't have Tristan's best right now," he said. "But when you look at his body of work here in the years that he's been here, there's been a significant aspect of his game that has been very strong. Part of our responsibility is to try to help (Jarry)."
Jarry's issues stem from last season. He hasn't recorded a save percentage above .900 in his last eight appearances, and he lost the starting job to Alex Nedeljkovic down the stretch.
The 29-year-old is under contract for four years including this one with a $5.375-million cap hit. His contract also includes a 12-team no-trade list. Reports emerged in June that the Penguins made Jarry available to be dealt. He owns a career .911 save percentage in 260 outings, all with Pittsburgh.
Blomqvist, meanwhile, has been a breath of fresh air for the Penguins' crease. He recorded an identical .906 save percentage in both of his starts so far and was stellar in relief Wednesday, making 26 saves on 28 shots to help Pittsburgh beat the Sabres 6-5 in overtime.
Buffalo took seven high-danger shots on Blomqvist, and the 22-year-old stopped all but one of them, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The Penguins are also expected to get Nedeljkovic back soon. He hasn't played an NHL game yet this season because of a lower-body ailment, but he was activated off injured reserve Thursday and assigned to the AHL for a conditioning stint.
Nedeljkovic appeared in 38 games for Pittsburgh in 2023-24, posting an 18-7-7 record, 2.97 goals against average, and .902 clip. The Penguins rewarded him with a two-year, $5-million extension in the offseason.