Penguins to start goaltender Casey DeSmith in regular-season finale against Blue Jackets

Goaltender Casey DeSmith is expected to start in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ regular-season finale, a home contest against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday at PPG Paints Arena.

In 25 games this season, DeSmith has a 10-6-5 record, a 2.78 goals against average, a .914 save percentage and three shutouts.

DeSmith has played the Blue Jackets in two games this season. In those contests, he has a 1-0-0 record, a 3.00 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.

Notes:

• The Penguins can secure third place in the Metropolitan Division as long as they avoid a regulation loss on Friday. That would set them up for a meeting with the New York Rangers in the first round of the playoffs.

Should the Penguins lose in regulation and the Washington Capitals gets a victory of any type against the Rangers in Washington on Friday, the Penguins would then finish in fourth place and get a first-round meeting with the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Florida Panthers.

• Penguins coach Mike Sullivan did not provide an update on injured forward Jason Zucker. During Tuesday’s 5-1 home loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Zucker left the game in the first period due to an undisclosed ailment.

• Sullivan indicated goaltender Tristan Jarry has been able to begin his rehabilitation process for his injured right foot. The ailment has sidelined Jarry since April 14 and no specific timeframe for recovery has been offered.

• Penguins forward Evan Rodrigues is in position to be the only member of the team to appear in all 82 games this season.

• The Blue Jackets are expected to start goaltender J-F Berube. In five games this season, Berube has a 3-2-0 record, a 3.61 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.

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