Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic had a wonderful night time between the pipes on Friday night time. He stopped 40 of the 42 pictures he confronted in a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, however he additionally made NHL historical past by producing some offense.
With beneath three minutes remaining in regulation, the Sabres pulled their goalie in hopes of erasing a 4-2 deficit and forcing time beyond regulation. As an alternative, Nedeljkovic noticed a possibility and took it.
When the Sabres rimmed the puck across the boards within the Pittsburgh zone, Nedeljkovic went behind his web to retrieve it. That is when the Penguins netminder determined to take his shot at glory, firing the puck virtually 200 toes down the ice and into the empty web on the different finish.
Nedeljkovic turned the sixteenth goalie in NHL historical past to attain a aim, however the milestones did not finish there. Due to his help on Cody Glass’ energy play aim within the second interval, Nedeljkovic additionally turned the primary goalie in league historical past to file a aim and an help in the identical recreation.
But once more, the historical past does not finish there. By goaltender requirements, Nedeljkovic is a little bit of a sniper. Previous to final night time’s recreation, Nedeljkovic had recorded targets within the ECHL and AHL, and he is now the one goalie ever to search out the again of the web in any respect three ranges.
Talking to reporters after the sport, Nedeljkovic stated his primary emotion was “aid.” Nedeljkovic stated he grew up watching a pair of legendary goalies deal with the puck with ease, and he at all times wished to emulate them.
“I’ve at all times loved enjoying the puck,” Nedeljkovic stated. “Rising up, I watched a few of the greatest guys do it. Marty Turco and Marty Brodeur had been two guys I watched lots and realized lots from by way of puck-handling.”
That is now the second straight season through which a Penguins goalie has scored a aim. Tristan Jarry pulled off the feat in a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 30, 2023.
