Many of the Penguins think the spark Nedeljkovic provides on and off the ice might be just what they need to make a postseason push.
After two straight disappointing losses to non-playoff teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins will look to regain some momentum against the league's bottom team. And they're going to have to do it without one of their best players.
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made history by becoming the first netminder to record a goal and an assist in an NHL game.
With the Penguins leading the Sabres 4-2 and Buffalo's goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen at the bench, the Sabres would put the puck into the corner and the puck would come to Nedeljkovic. With that goal, Nedeljkovic would become just the second goalie in the Penguins' history to score a goal.
Nedeljkovic will tend the twine on the road versus San Jose on Monday, Michelle Crechiolo of the Penguins ' official site reports.
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.
Nedeljkovic recorded an assist on Cody Glass's second-period goal which made the game 3-1 at the time. Moreover, he capped off the win with a goalie goal, scoring on an empty net to cement a 5-2 victory. The Penguins goalie skated to the bench and leaped into the arms of his teammates in celebration after the goal.
Alex Nedeljkovic became the first goalie in NHL history to have a goal and an assist, and made 40 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2.
Nedeljkovic scored into an empty net at 17:18 of the third period after the Sabres pulled their goalie for an extra skater.
Alex Nedeljkovic may not have gotten a Gordie Howe hat trick on Friday in Buffalo, just missing the fight portion. But his unique accomplishment that night should perhaps be named after him moving forward.
During the final minutes of the Penguins’ game against the Sabres on Friday, goalie Alex Nedeljkovic sniped a goal from the other side of the ice, becoming the first goalie in history to record a goal and an assist in the same NHL game. Upon scoring the goal, Nedeljkovic leaped into the Penguins’ bench, where he was mobbed by his teammates.
Alex Nedeljkovic became the second goaltender in Pittsburgh Penguins history to score a goal during a 5-2 victory against the Buffalo Sabres, at KeyBank Center in Buffalo on Friday. His score came on an empty net at 17:18 of the third period.