The Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent game was one for the history books, as Sidney Crosby reached an incredible 1,600 career points, a feat only a select few have ever achieved.
Meanwhile, Geno Malkin marked his 500th career goal, solidifying his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.
The atmosphere was electric, and fans were celebrating the achievements of two of the greatest players to ever wear the Penguins jersey. But, as is often the case in sports, where there’s triumph, there can also be frustration.
As the Pens honored these two iconic players, the glaring issue of goaltending once again reared its head. Penguins’ starting goalie Tristan Jarry allowed three goals on just five shots before being pulled from the game.
His performance was dismal and, in the eyes of many fans, simply unacceptable. His early exit in the first period left fans fuming, not just with disappointment but with genuine concern for the team’s future.
Enter Alex D. Bloomquist, the Penguins’ backup netminder who came in to replace Jarry. Bloomquist was nothing short of impressive in his relief role, keeping the team in the game as they mounted a comeback.
His performance showcased the kind of resilience and quality goaltending that had been sorely missing for much of the season. After Bloomquist took the crease, the Penguins rallied, giving fans a glimpse of what could be if they had a more reliable option in goal.
This sudden shift in momentum raised questions that have been simmering for weeks: Is Jarry really the answer in net for Pittsburgh? And is Bloomquist ready for a bigger role? While it’s a small sample size, Bloomquist’s strong performance against a tough opponent suggests that the Penguins might be better off with him between the pipes—at least until starting goalie Casey DeSmith returns from injury.
Moreover, with DeSmith’s recovery in sight, the Penguins might find themselves with a goalie tandem that could propel them back into playoff contention.
A Bloomquist-DeSmith duo could provide the stability and performance needed to compete in the brutal Metropolitan Division. That said, if Jarry continues to struggle, the Penguins might need to seriously reconsider his role going forward.
The talent on this Penguins roster is clear. With Crosby, Malkin, and Kris Letang leading the way, this team still has the ability to make a playoff push. But as this game showed, if they want to return to the postseason, their goaltending must drastically improve.
Whether that comes from Bloomquist, DeSmith, or another option remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: the Penguins need to address the goalie situation before it derails another promising season.