Mike Sullivan, Penguins make key goaltender move in hopes of playoff push with Sidney Crosby

The Pittsburgh Penguins are hoping for a miraculous turnaround in the 2024-25 NHL season, rising like a phoenix in their chase for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. The odds may not be in their favor, but as long as Sidney Crosby is on the roster, they can never be counted out. Ahead of a crucial matchup with the Colorado Avalanche, head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed a pivotal decision in the goaltending room.

The Penguins are mired in a complex spot in the NHL standings. Pittsburgh sits eight points behind the WC2 spot, currently owned by the Detroit Red Wings. Yet, the Penguins have played three more games than the Red Wings, putting them in an uphill battle.

Crosby and the Penguins have lost two games in a row and were defeated in six of their last seven games. The spirits are definitely low in The City of Bridges, but the Pens are still holding on to their last string of hope. On that note, Coach Sullivan announced a big move involving goaltender Tristan Jarry.

The Penguins have recalled goaltender Tristan Jarry from the AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Goaltender Joel Blomqvist, who conceded 6 goals during the team’s latest defeat to the Toronto Maple Leafs, has been re-assigned to the AHL.

Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins walks to the ice to practice for the 2023 Winter Classic at Fenway Park on January 01, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sullivan’s statement on young Blomqvist

Rookie goalie Joel Blomqvist, drafted in the 2020 NHL entry Draft, has started 12 games for the Penguins this season, appearing in a total of 15. His 4-9-1 record isn’t great, but it’s also a result of an overall lackluster performance from the team. After the 6-5 overtime loss against the Leafs, Sullivan made an honest comment about the goaltender.

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“Joel’s a young kid and he’s trying to find his way and establish himself in this league,” Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said, via NHL.com. “It’s a hard league, and so we recognize that we’re going to go through some ups and downs. He’s no different than any other young kid that’s trying to compete. But he’s a very good goalie, we believe he has great potential moving forward.”

As Blomqvist returns to the AHL, the Penguins hope the young goalie can continue to develop and regain his confidence. Meanwhile, Jarry’s return to the first team could provide a much-needed morale boost as they look to spark a strong final stretch with 19 games remaining in the season.