Penguins Suffer Unfortunate Setback as Starting Goalie Goes Down with Injury
Photo credit: DK Pittsburgh Sports
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been dealt an unfortunate blow as their starting goalie, Joel Blomqvist, has been injured and is now listed as day-to-day.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are coping with an early preseason setback regarding their goalie position. The team made the announcement on Wednesday that goalie Joel Blomqvist is out because of a lower-body injury.
There was no timeline established other than day-to-day, and the Penguins did not specify when the injury took place.
The 23-year-old got into action in Monday's preseason game versus the Montreal Canadiens, stopping all 11 shots he faced before being relieved by Sergei Murashov. Pittsburgh ultimately lost 2-1 in a shootout.
Joel Blomqvist is Expected to Challenge Tristan Jarry for the Team's Starting Role
Blomqvist entered the year after a season alternating between the AHL and NHL, and it was expected he would challenge for the team's starting position. Last October, he received his NHL debut in a win over the Detroit Red Wings.
In 15 games with Pittsburgh, he was 4-9-1, had a 3.81 goals-against average, and a .885 save percentage.
He did slightly better at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, posting an 8-7-4 record with a 2.84 GAA, .914 SV%, and one shutout.
He also caught a glimpse of the Calder Cup Playoffs, coasting on an impressive rookie season in 2023-24, by posting a 25-12-6 record with a 2.16 GAA and .921 SV%.
He made the AHL All-Rookie Team, was a Second-Team All-Star, and received an AHL All-Star Classic invitation in that year.
In 65 career games in the AHL, Blomqvist is 33-12-10 with a 2.38 GAA, .918 SV%, and two shutouts. He is in the final season of his entry-level deal that has a $925,000 cap hit.
The Penguins will be hoping that the injury isn't serious, as Blomqvist is one of their most intriguing young goalie prospects going into the season.
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