The Pittsburgh Penguins could have Alex Nedeljkovic back in the lineup the first day he's eligible.

Following the loss to the Dallas Stars, the Pittsburgh Penguins placed goalie Alex Nedeljkovic on long-term injured reserve.

It was just Nedeljkovic’s second game in a Penguins uniform, but he is working his way back to health and plans on being ready to return on his first day of eligibility.

Nedeljkovic can re-join the lineup as soon as this Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights, the same day the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns.

“The Browns’ game is Sunday, so we might have to reschedule,” Nedeljkovic joked at first. “No, I’d like to be back for Sunday. I think we’re trending in the right direction.”

Nedeljkovic is a Cleveland native and proud Browns fan; he wore a Myles Garrett jersey to watch a Penguins practice earlier in the week.

Magnus Hellberg has played the role of backup in Nedeljkovic’s absence and has been solid, collecting both a win and a piece of a combined shutout.

According to Nedeljkovic, he suffered his injury when he attempted to play a puck way out of his net.

The Stars eventually scored on the play that put Nedeljkovic on the shelf.

The netminder skated with his teammates and took real shots for the first time since this incident and stated that things felt good.

"It was nice to be able to get out there in an actual practice," Nedeljkovic said. "I've been on the ice for the last week and a half... in a controlled environment."

Joining practice and taking things 'out of control' was the next step in the process.

Nedeljkovic's plan is to return to the lineup as soon as possible, despite a heated rivalry taking place on the gridiron on Ohio.

Before he can officially return, however, the Penguins will need to make some crucial roster decisions.

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