Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic had an excellent night between the pipes on Friday night. He stopped 40 of the 42 shots he faced in a 5-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres, but he also made NHL history by generating some offense.
With under three minutes remaining in regulation, the Sabres pulled their goalie in hopes of erasing a 4-2 deficit and forcing overtime. Instead, Nedeljkovic saw an opportunity and took it.
When the Sabres rimmed the puck around the boards in the Pittsburgh zone, Nedeljkovic went behind his net to retrieve it. That’s when the Penguins netminder decided to take his shot at glory, firing the puck almost 200 feet down the ice and into the empty net at the other end.
Nedeljkovic became the 16th goalie in NHL history to score a goal, but the milestones didn’t end there. Because of his assist on Cody Glass‘ power play goal in the second period, Nedeljkovic also became the first goalie in league history to record a goal and an assist in the same game.
Yet again, the history doesn’t end there. By goaltender standards, Nedeljkovic is a bit of a sniper. Prior to last night’s game, Nedeljkovic had recorded goals in the ECHL and AHL, and he’s now the only goalie ever to find the back of the net at all three levels.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Nedeljkovic said his main emotion was “relief.” Nedeljkovic said he grew up watching a pair of legendary goalies handle the puck with ease, and he always wanted to emulate them.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing the puck,” Nedeljkovic said. “Growing up, I watched some of the best guys do it. Marty Turco and Marty Brodeur were two guys I watched a lot and learned a lot from in terms of puck-handling.”
This is now the second straight season in which a Penguins goalie has scored a goal. Tristan Jarry pulled off the feat in a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 30, 2023.
On March 24, 2022, Alex Nedeljkovic, the goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins, achieved a significant milestone in his NHL career by recording a two-point game against the Buffalo Sabres. This accomplishment is a testament to Nedeljkovic’s skill and talent as a goalie, as well as his ability to contribute offensively to his team’s success.
Nedeljkovic’s two-point game came in a 5-2 victory over the Sabres, with the goaltender registering two assists in the game. This marked the first time in his career that he had recorded multiple points in a single game, making it a memorable moment for the young netminder.
Nedeljkovic’s performance against the Sabres showcased his versatility and ability to make an impact on both ends of the ice. In addition to his strong play in goal, where he made several key saves to help secure the win for the Penguins, Nedeljkovic also displayed his playmaking skills by setting up his teammates for goals.
The 26-year-old goaltender has been a key player for the Penguins since being acquired in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings earlier this season. Nedeljkovic has quickly established himself as a reliable presence in net for Pittsburgh, posting solid numbers and earning the trust of his teammates and coaches.
Nedeljkovic’s milestone game against the Sabres is just the latest example of his growing impact on the Penguins and his potential as a top goaltender in the NHL. As he continues to develop and improve his game, Nedeljkovic will undoubtedly be a player to watch in the league for years to come.
Overall, Alex Nedeljkovic’s two-point game against the Sabres was a significant achievement for the young goaltender and a testament to his skill and talent on the ice. Penguins fans can look forward to seeing more impressive performances from Nedeljkovic as he continues to make his mark in the NHL.
