Penguins Top Goaltending Prospect Set To Make NHL Debut

Coming off of a season-opening 6-0 loss to the New York Rangers on Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins will look to right the ship tonight in Detroit.

And they will be doing it with new blood between the pipes.

Top goaltending prospect Joel Blomqvist is expected to make his NHL debut against the Red Wings Thursday, head coach Mike Sullivan announced earlier in the day.

“His training camp got stronger and stronger with each game he played,” Sullivan said. “He’s a quality goaltender, and we’re not asking him to do anything that he’s not accustomed to doing. He’s gotta go out and be himself and embrace the moment. We believe in him, and we believe he’s gonna give us a chance to win.”

Blomqvist was an AHL All-Star last season, and he posted 25 wins along with a 2.16 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage in 45 games. He struggled in his first pre-season game against Buffalo, but he gained momentum after that, only allowing one goal against on 33 shots over his last two games of the pre-season.

Related: Penguins’ Goaltending Prospects Making Their Mark on Training Camp

After backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic suffered a lower-body injury in the pre-season that will keep him out weekk-to-week, Blomqvist got the call to be the Penguins’ second goaltender to start the season. Pittsburgh is beginning the season by playing 12 games in 18 days, so Blomqvist will certainly see some time in the crease from the get-go.

And he’s ready for the challenge despite the circumstances,

“It’s unfortunate every time a teammate gets injured, but that’s the times when opportunities come up for other guys,” Blomqvist said. “I just need to take it day by day and do my best when the opportunity comes.”

Related: Top-Six Juggled Around as Penguins Fall To Rangers 6-0 In Home Opener