Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
Pittsburgh's starter vs. Blue Jackets gives new insight into the Penguins' goalie plans
The Penguins have announced that Tristan Jarry will start tonight vs. the Blue Jackets, which gives some insight into how the team plans to proceed with the goalies.
Tristan Jarry will start in goal today against the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, and it's another opportunity for him to show why he's become a stabilizing force for the Penguins.
Jarry isn't one to overthink his performance; he just wants wins. But eight games into this season, the numbers tell a story worth noting: The goaltender who was sent to the AHL twice last season and often criticized by fans now is positioning Pittsburgh strongly with steady play.
"He's been through it a bit," longtime teammate Bryan Rust said. "To see him come back this year, play well, have an injury, come back and have a huge game for us - he's probably the reason we won that game - that's big.
"He's gonna be a big part of this team moving forward."
"He's gonna be a big part of this team moving forward."
What Tristan Jarry did vs. the Sabres to prove his worth
He proved he can be the team's failsafe, even when the Penguins give up heavy chances in the second and third periods, stopping 29 of 31 shots in a 4-2 victory over Buffalo on Wednesday.
This season, Jarry is 6-2-0 with a 2.53 goals-against average and .914 save percentage, numbers comparable to his All-Star campaigns in 2019-20 and 2021-22.
Why Tristan Jarry's resurgence is impressive
His resurgence is all the more impressive considering how rough 2024-25 was, and it highlights the value of having a reliable starter in a season where goaltending league-wide is struggling.
The NHL collective save percentage sits at just .897, the lowest since 1995-96.
Fans have taken notice. After his strong showing on Wednesday, chants for Jarry peppered PPG Paints Arena, a reminder of what he's overcome: boos, demotions, and injury, and why consistent starts matter for him and the team.
While the season is relevant, the Penguins must weigh short-term victories with long-term planning. The strong play of Jarry gives them leverage, be it for the immediate push of the team or to set them up well for the future.
Good for Jarry, he deserves the cheers. And today's start against the Blue Jackets is another chance to see why he's become such a key part of Pittsburgh's goalie picture.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 28 | 64 ANSWERS Pittsburgh's starter vs. Blue Jackets gives new insight into the Penguins' goalie plans Do you agree with the decision to start Tristan Jarry today? | ||
| Yes | 36 | 56.3 % |
| No | 28 | 43.8 % |
| List of polls | ||