Casey DeSmith to start for Penguins, Kasperi Kapanen to make season debut

The Pittsburgh Penguins will start goaltender Casey DeSmith for the second consecutive game Tuesday when they face the rival Washington Capitals at PPG Paints Arena.

Coach Mike Sullivan announced DeSmith would be in net following an optional morning skate. DeSmith made 20 saves on 23 shots during Sunday’s 4-3 shootout win at home against the Capitals.

In two games this season, DeSmith has a 1-0-0 record along with a 2.13 goals-against average and an .889 save percentage.

“Casey’s a good goalie,” Sullivan said via video conference. “He’s a real competitor. He competes hard on pucks. He tracks the puck extremely well. And he keeps himself ready. And he’s a good pro. His work habits every day, I think, set him up for success when the opportunity does occur for him. And he’s been able to make the most of it when he’s been up in the NHL. He played some big games for us when he was here a couple of years ago. We think he’s had some strong performances to this point, as well.”

Top goaltender Tristan Jarry will serve as the backup once again. In two games this season, he has a 0-2-0 record with a 7.57 goals-against average and a .727 save percentage.

Sullivan also announced forward Kasperi Kapanen will make his debut with the team.

The Penguins’ first-round pick in 2014, he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2015 and spent parts of five seasons with that franchise before returning to the Penguins via trade this past August.

A delay in securing a work visa did not permit Kapanen to arrive in Pittsburgh on time for training camp or the start of the regular season.

The Capitals are scheduled to start rookie goaltender Vitek Vanecek. In one game this season, Vanecek has a 1-0-0 record with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .968 save percentage.

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