The Penguins are expected to start goaltender Casey DeSmith for Tuesday’s home game against the Philadelphia Flyers at PPG Paints Arena.
In 11 games this season, DeSmith has a 4-3-2 record, a 3.03 goals-against average, a .901 save percentage and two shutouts.
His most recent game came in a 2-0 road win against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. In that contest, DeSmith made 26 saves to record his eighth career shutout.
“He had a solid game,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “He obviously posted a shutout. He made two or three really good saves at key times during that game that gave us an opportunity to win. That should be a boost of confidence for (DeSmith). His last few starts have been really strong. We just want him to continue to build and grow. His confidence should help him in that regard. His last few of starts have been really strong. We’re looking for him to just bring that consistency that we need.
“When he makes that timely save for us that gives our team the best chance to win, that’s what we’re looking for. That’s what the expectation is.”
In his career, DeSmith has played in three games against the Flyers and has a 0-2-0 record along with a 3.27 goals- against average and an .893 save percentage.
Notes:
• The Penguins’ lines and pairings at Tuesday’s morning skate were:
59 Jake Guentzel - 87 Sidney Crosby - 17 Bryan Rust
23 Brock McGinn - 71 Evgeni Malkin - 42 Kasperi Kapanen
43 Danton Heinen - 77 Jeff Carter - 9 Evan Rodrigues
12 Zach Aston-Reese - 11 Brian Boyle - 49 Dominik Simon
8 Brian Dumoulin - 58 Kris Letang
28 Marcus Pettersson - 6 John Marino
5 Mike Matheson - 2 Chad Ruhwedel
• The Penguins’ top power-play unit included Crosby, Guentzel, Letang, Malkin and Rust. Their second power-play group involved Carter, Heinen, Kapanen, Marino and Rodrigues.
• The Flyers are expected to start goaltender Carter Hart. In 31 games this season, Hart has a 9-16-5 record, a 2.89 goals against average, a .911 save percentage and one shutout.
