Mike Sullivan Confirms Starting Goalie and Announces Evgeni Malkin's Fate

While the Pittsburgh Penguins are still mathematically alive in the Eastern Conference playoff race, their odds of actually qualifying continue to shrink.

Things won't get any easier for them on Sunday as they face the Ottawa Senators, who are on the verge of clinching their 1st playoff berth since advancing to Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final - coincidently, against the Penguins.

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan has confirmed that goaltender Tristan Jarry will get the nod in net against Ottawa.

As for the status of Evgeni Malkin and P.O. Joseph, both of them skated in the morning; however, they won't be suiting up.

Malkin, who is dealing with an unspecified injury, has already missed 12 games this year.

Ville Koivunen, recently re-called from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, is expected to make his NHL debut.

Once labeled as the heir-apparent to Matt Murray as the official starter in the Penguins' net, Jarry has struggled this year and was even waived and sent to the American Hockey League.

After a brief turnaround in his performances, he's sunk right back to the level he was at when the Penguins put him up for grabs on the waiver wire.

He was particularly brutal in Pittsburgh's recent blowout loss to the Buffalo Sabres, allowing 4 quick goals, including both of the first shots that the Sabres had.

It didn't help that his teammates in front of him were essentially lifeless and hung him out to dry, but as the last line of defense, he didn't help his case either.