Mike Sullivan Confirms Starting Goalie and Shares Major Update on Bryan Rust Injury and Evgeni Malkin's Status

After an optional morning skate at the team's Cranberry practice facility, coach Mike Sullivan made the announcement regarding Nedeljkovic's status for tonight's game.

Nedeljkovic has a .890 save percentage, a 3.18 goals against average, and a 1-2-1 record in his first four games of the season. Nedeljkovic defeated the Anaheim Ducks 2-1 in overtime at home on Thursday, recording his first victory of the year with 22 saves on 23 shots. With five games played for the Canadiens during his career, Nedeljkovic has a 2-1-1 record, a 1.91 goals against average, and a .944 save percentage.

Many questions have been raised regarding Mike Sullivan's approach to the goalie rotation. This season, Sullivan has taken a highly dubious approach to goaltending, which has probably hurt his netminder's performance. As of right now, the Penguins have a 4-7-1 record.

Forward Evgeni Malkin is available for the match, according to Sullivan. Due to what was referred to as a "maintenance day," Malkin did not practice on Friday.

Sullivan also provided an update on Bryan Rust, indicating the forward took to the ice ahead of the morning skate. Rust has missed the last two games and is currently listed on injured reserve due to an unspecified illness.

Since December 14, 2021, the Penguins have defeated the Canadiens at home three times in a row (3-1-0). In its last 21 games against Montreal, Pittsburgh has scored points in 17 of them (14-4-3). The Penguins are 20-8-4 in their last 30 games against the Canadiens.

Kris Letang, will play in his 1,100th regular-season game tonight. Letang is only the sixth active blueliner to reach 1,100 games and the first Penguins defenseman to achieve this feat. Letang will become just the 13th defenseman to play 1,100 games with a single team when he takes the ice tonight. In his first 1,099 games, Letang has scored 746 points (168G-578A), good for 24th place among defensemen in NHL history.

Following his two-goal performance on Thursday, Sidney Crosby enters tonight's game tied with Luc Robitaille for the 13th-most even-strength goals in NHL history.

Tonight's game between the Penguins and Canadiens begins at 7:00 PM, SportsNet Pittsburgh and NHL Network will both broadcast the game.