Penguins tab Alex Nedeljkovic as starting goaltender for 3rd time in 4 games

The Pittsburgh Penguins are scheduled to start goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic in Thursday’s home game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PPG Paints Arena.

Coach Mike Sullivan announced Nedeljkovic’s status following an optional morning skate.

Nedeljkovic has appeared in each of the past three games, starting two of those contests. He replaced starter Tristan Jarry midway through a 7-0 road loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.

Thursday’s scheduled start will mark the first time this season Nedeljkovic will have started consecutive games.

“He’s won a couple of games here for us most recently,” Sullivan said. “We think he’s played extremely well. That weighs into a lot of the decision. Having said that, we have the utmost confidence in (Jarry) also. We think we’ve got two real capable guys. We’re going to keep them involved here. We’re going to rely on both of them to help us win games. We just feel that it’s the right decision for this game tonight, to go back with (Nedeljkovic). That’s why it was made.”

In eight games this season, Nedeljkovic has a 4-2-1 record, a 2.58 goals against average, a .925 save percentage and one shutout.

A second-round pick (No. 37 overall) of the Hurricanes in 2014, Nedeljkovic has played against the Hurricanes in five games throughout his career, posting a 3-2-0 record, a 2.40 goals against average, a .929 save percentage and one shutout.

Notes:

• Forwards Bryan Rust and Jesse Puljujarvi each worked out before the morning skate.

Rust is currently designated to long-term injured reserve having missed the past five games due to an undisclosed ailment. He is not eligible to rejoin the active roster until Jan. 2.

Per Sullivan, this marked Rust’s first time on the ice since he was injured Dec. 6.

Puljujarvi is currently participating in a tryout with the Penguins as he continues to rehabilitate from offseason surgery on both hips. He initially linked up with the Penguins on his tryout agreement Dec. 10.

• According to Sullivan, injured forward Matt Nieto continues to work out off the ice as he recuperates from an undisclosed injury that has sidelined him for the past eight games. He is currently designated to regular injured reserve.

• Those who attended the Penguins’ optional morning skate included:

Forwards — Jansen Harkins, Vinnie Hinostroza, Valtteri Puustinen, Radim Zohorna

Defensemen — P.O Joseph, John Ludvig, Chad Ruhwedel

Goaltenders — Jarry, Nedeljkovic

• Forward Reilly Smith briefly worked out on the ice with assistant coach Ty Hennes but departed as the morning skate began.

• Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson has 599 career assists.

• The Hurricanes are expected to start rookie goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov. In 16 games this season, Kochetkov has a 7-6-2 record, a 2.65 goals against average, an .895 save percentage and one shutout.

While he qualifies as a rookie, Kochetkov has played the Penguins twice in his career, posting a 2-0-0 record, along with a 1.96 goals against average and a .930 save percentage.