The Pittsburgh Penguins began a monumental seven-game road trip that may decide their season. Their first game came Friday night against the Buffalo Sabres, and no one with a ticket would believe they’d witness history in the Penguins’ 5-2 triumph.
Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic scored in the third period to become the first netminder in NHL history to record an assist and a goal in the same game. Meanwhile, he also became the first goalie to score in the ECHL, AHL, and NHL.
Moreover, the Pittsburgh powerplay was electric. It went 3-for-4, helping the team secure their second victory of 2025 and starting the trip on the right foot.
Nedeljkovic Does It All
On Wednesday, the Penguins placed Tristan Jarry on waivers and recalled Joel Blomqvist to the NHL. Ultimately, this left the starting duties to Nedeljkovic, who didn’t disappoint.
In addition to making 40 saves to halt the Penguins’ losing streak, Nedeljkovic picked up an assist on Cody Glass’ goal in the second period, and by firing the puck into an empty net, he made NHL history.
In the dressing room, his teammates teased him that he was only a fight away from a Gordie Howe hat trick.
Considering how shaky Pittsburgh goalies have been recently, Nedeljkovic’s performance on Friday was one of the most reassuring moments the team has experienced in a while.
The Next Game Against the Sabres Has to Live Up to the Hype
The Penguins and Sabres met once this season on Oct. 16. In that game, Evgeni Malkin scored goal No. 500, and Sidney Crosby picked up point No. 1600.
Meanwhile, that game went into overtime, where the Penguins won 6-5 on a Crosby game-winner.
Sidney Crosby becomes the 10th player in NHL history to record 1,600 regular-season points, reaching it in the fifth-fewest games.
It’s the first time this milestone has been reached by an NHL player since Jaromir Jagr on Oct. 6, 2011. pic.twitter.com/jBAFoBsArC
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 16, 2024
On Friday, Pittsburgh had one of the campaign’s best special teams games. It went 3-for-4 on the man advantage, and Nedeljkovic scored a goal while making 18 saves in the third period alone.
These two teams meet again on Mar. 27, and the Penguins should still be in the thick of the Eastern Conference wildcard race if they do not lead it. Considering how memorable their previous two meetings were, anyone with tickets will be in for a night to remember.
Luck Has Been on Their Side in Back-to-Backs
The Penguins continue their road trip on Saturday against the red-hot…