In Wednesday’s “On Sports,” struggling Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry gave his first interview since being sent down to the American Hockey League last week. Meanwhile, in his place, Alex Nedeljkovic has put together some nice starts back-to-back.

Plus, a couple of former Steeler quarterbacks are chasing a Super Bowl appearance with their new teams.

Finally, Duquesne, enjoying an impressive turnaround since beginning the year 0-6, suffered a lopsided loss at the hands of Dayton on Tuesday night.

Jarry speaks in Wilkes-Barre

Tristan Jarry, demoted to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Jan. 16 after going unclaimed on waivers, chatted with Inside AHL Hockey’s Tony Androckitis on Tuesday.

Jarry, who is in the second year of a five-year contract worth $5.375 million annually, struggled during his time in Pittsburgh this season, going 8-8-4 with a 3.31 goals-against average and .886 save percentage.

“I think it was just the inconsistency of my game, within games and playing consecutively that ultimately led me back here,” Jarry told Androckitis.

“It is a different situation for me. It’s something that I’m going to have to learn, and I guess something that I’m going to have to adapt to. Being back down here, I want to help the team as much as possible and do everything I can to help them play well so I get another opportunity (in the NHL).”

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton does not play again until Friday.

Jarry, who had previously joined the AHL Penguins in late October for a few weeks on a conditioning assignment, compiled a 4-1 record, 2.16 GAA and .926 save percentage over five starts.

Meanwhile, back with the NHL club, Alex Nedeljkovic has looked good in net for the Penguins since Jarry departed.

After making NHL history during Friday’s win vs. Buffalo by becoming the first goalie to notch an assist and score a goal in the same game, Nedeljkovic followed it up with a 26-save performance Monday in the Penguins’ victory over the L.A. Kings.

Over that span Nedeljkovic has denied 65 of opponents’ 68 shots on goal for a save percentage of .956.

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Curious possibility for Super Bowl LIX

Two discarded former Steelers quarterbacks are knocking on the door of the Super Bowl.

Mitch Trubisky of the Buffalo Bills and Kenny Pickett of the Philadelphia Eagles are in backup roles ahead of the AFC and NFC Championship games set for Sunday.

Trubisky, who is back as Josh Allen’s backup (the same role he played there in 2021 before joining the Steelers for two seasons), has appeared in nine games this season, completing 19 of 26 passes for 179 yards and two scores.

Over 12 games (seven starts) with the Steelers in 2022 and ‘23, Trubisky went 2-5 with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Pickett has played in five games while serving as Jalen Hurts’ backup, going 25 of 42 with two touchdowns and an interception.

With Hurts out with a concussion, Pickett started against the Cowboys on Dec. 29.

Buffalo’s path to the Super Bowl runs through Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium while Pickett and the Eagles host the Washington Commanders.

Neil Walker, HOFer?

Former Pirates second baseman Neil Walker enters his first year of Hall of Fame eligibility in 2026.

Some others who receive consideration for enshrinement in Cooperstown, N.Y., starting next year are Ryan Bruan, Shin Soo-Choo, Edwin Encarnacion, Cole Hamels, Nick Markakis, Alex Gordon and Daniel Murphy.

Walker, the Pirates’ first-round pick (No. 11 overall) in the 2004 MLB Draft out of Pine-Richland High School, spent 2009-15 in Pittsburgh, finishing fifth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2010 while winning a Silver Slugger in 2014.

In a career that lasted until 2020, Walker also played with the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies.

He appeared in 1,306 games (836 with the Pirates), hitting .267 with 149 home runs and 609 RBIs.

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