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Mike Sullivan Announces Penguins' Starting Goalie for Oilers Clash After Jarry's Exit

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Gabriel Sami
October 25, 2024  (5:21 PM)
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On Friday, the Penguins will continue their four-game road trip through Western Canada in Edmonton against the Oilers, where Joel Blomqvist will start in net.

In an attempt to lift struggling goalie Tristan Jarry out of his early-season slump, the Pittsburgh Penguins sent him home on Thursday for some individual work.

«It's just part of the process we've put in place in here over the next little while to help Tristan get to his very best,» Sullivan said.

This strategy, according to Sullivan, was prearranged from the beginning of the four-game road trip to Canada, when Jarry did not wear a uniform for the opening two games against Winnipeg on Sunday and Calgary on Tuesday. Joel Blomqvist, a gifted young rookie, was the backup for Alex Nedeljkovic, who started both matches.

After suffering three straight losses, Penguins are currently splitting goaltending duties between Nedjelkovic and rookie Joel Blomqvist. The Penguins will return to Pittsburgh for a three-game homestand the following week after wrapping up their road trip in Vancouver on Saturday. For tonight's clash with Connor McDavid's Oilers, Sullivan has revealed that Joel Blomqvist will start in net.

The Oilers are coming into this game with the worst even-strength shooting percentage (4.4 percent) after seven games of the season. Elliotte Friedman's research indicates that the worst even-strength shooting percentage since 2009-10 was 5.7%.

In addition, Friday's Oilers vs. Penguins game is a prelude to the forthcoming 4 Nations Face-Off, in which Crosby and McDavid will play together for the first time ever.

"I'm really looking forward to it," McDavid told reporters after practice on Thursday. "To play with Sid, to play with so many other guys, Nate [MacKinnon], Makar, great Canadian players."

"It doesn't make any difference," McDavid said. "We still want to win, he still wants to win tomorrow."

Sidney Crosby is two even-strength goals away from tying Luc Robitaille for the 13th-most even-strength goals in NHL history going into tonight's game. Since December 5, 2007, Pittsburgh has won 19 of its last 25 meetings with the Oilers (15-6-4). The Penguins are seeking their first victory in Edmonton since a 5-2 win on December 20, 2019.

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OCTOBRE 25   |   71 ANSWERS
Mike Sullivan Announces Penguins' Starting Goalie for Oilers Clash After Jarry's Exit

Will Joel Blomqvist stun Connor McDavid and the Oilers tonight with a solid performances?

Yes3954.9 %
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