Goaltending Has Stood Out for Penguins this Year
The Pittsburgh Penguins have seen outstanding play from their goalies in 2023-24.
One of the biggest downfalls of the 2022-23 season for the Pittsburgh Penguins was their lackluster goaltending.
Between Tristan Jarry dealing with injuries, Casey DeSmith not having a great season, and Dustin Tokarski not being much of an NHL goalie, the Penguins struggled between the pipes and inevitably missed the postseason by a point.
Shortly after joining the organization, Kyle Dubas planned on taking a hard look at every aspect of the team and goaltending was right at the top of the list.
In his retooling plan for the Penguins, Dubas believed that Jarry was the best available option in goal and he took that risk with a five-year deal worth $5.375 annually.
Behind Jarry, Dubas added Alex Nedeljkovic and Magnus Hellberg as quality options in backup and third string netminders.
It wasn’t an easy start, but as we reach mid-December, the Penguins have gotten great work out of their goaltending with some of the best numbers in the NHL.
After 28 games played, the Penguins have allowed just 74 total goals which is tied for the third fewest in the NHL behind only the Los Angeles Kings (65) and Boston Bruins (71).
That’s good enough to keep the Penguins goalies well in the William Jennings Trophy conversation for fewest amount of goals allowed in a season.
With an average of 2.61 goals allowed per game, the Penguins have truly emerged as one of the best goaltending teams in the league.
Penguins netminders have combined for five shutouts, good for most in the NHL; Jarry has picked up a league leading three, Nedeljkovic notched his one against the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, and Hellberg combined with Jarry for one against one of the most surprising teams in the league, the Los Angeles Kings.
Despite a team record of 13-12-3, scoring has been among the Penguins’ issues more so than goaltending.
Jarry holds a 9-10-2 record, but with a .917 save percentage and 2.46 goals against average.
Nedeljkoiovc has dealt with an injury, but in six games played has a 3-2-1 record with a save percentage of .935 and a 2.29 goals against average.
Hellberg made a pair of appearances and tacked on a win with a .922 save percentage.
Those three combine for a team save percentage of .917 to sit them third in the NHL.
The Penguins may not be scoring at the clip they’d like, but their goaltending has been a revaltion this year, especially considering the risk Dubas took in Jarry and Nedeljkovic coming off of a tough run with the Detroit Red Wings.
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