CRANBERRY TWP., PA (93.7 The Fan) – It’s the first time he talked since the points streak began during the loss at Colorado. Goalie Tristan Jarry discussed Alex Nedeljkovic starting, his season and his future with the Pens.
Nedeljkovic in net
Jarry said he understands the decision to go with the backup the last dozen games. Pens head coach Mike Sullivan said he was just riding the hot hand.
“Ned did a great job,” Jarry said. “He got us points and he put us in a position that we were able to make the playoffs. Obviously, we needed a little help from other teams and we didn't get it. But I think just in the position that we were in, they were going with the goalie who was hot and he was getting us points and he was winning us games.”
He said obviously he wanted to be out there and be a part of it. He said the best thing he could do in that situation was just be a good teammate. Jarry said he tried to help Nedeljkovic as much as he could, adding Ned did a great job and won a lot of games. Jarry admitted they had a chance at the end because of the way Nedeljkovic played.
Finishing his eighth NHL season, the stats, 19-25, a 2.91 goals against average (30th in NHL) and .903 save percentage (30th in NHL) with six shutouts (1st in NHL). How does he evaluate it?
“Honestly, I thought it was pretty good,” Jarry said Thursday. “There's some stretches that I thought could be better, and there are some stretches to learn from, obviously. But I think that I had a pretty good year. I was healthy the whole year. I was able to be available for every game. So, I think that was a step in the right direction and growing.”
It’s not that he thought it was perfect. He said he does believe he has another level and is attempting to bring the same performance night-after-night.
“I think there was a couple of weeks where I could have been better, I could have been more consistent,” the 28-year-old goalie said. “I think it would help the team more, and I think it would have put us in a better position.”
Asked if he is questioning the next four years he is under contract with the Pens?
“No, I obviously signed long-term because I want to be here,” Jarry said at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. “And that was my thought and my goal was I want to remain a Penguin, and that was always my thought from the beginning.”
Any reason to doubt the coaching staff has confidence in him?
“No,” Jarry said. “I played a lot of games this year. I played a lot of games consecutively. So, I think just, being better next year, being a better person, and being a better goalie, I think that will help and it will elevate my game.”