PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Of the starting goalies in the NHL, meaning those with at least four games this season, no one has a better goals against average than Tristan Jarry.
Jarry is allowing 1.47 goals per game and a .943 save percentage.
"I don't there is anything crazy," Jarry said of this season. "I think it's just focusing on the puck. Having one focus when you are on the ice. Just making sure you are taking care of the things you can control. I think that's been a big help."
Jarry held the Stanley Cup champions to just two goals, both goals scoring on a 6-on-5 as Tampa Bay pulled the goalie late. He allowed a power-play goal to Patrick Kane and then the first true regulation goal against him came 116 minutes and three seconds into his season. A goal late against Chicago with the Pens up 5-1.
In the last two games, the 26-year-old saved 28 of 29 shots in each.
"Focusing on the things I can control and just working on those key elements," Jarry said. "I think that's helped a lot."
While he didn't say it, seems like there was some soul searching in the offseason. The change in goalie coaches to Andy Chiodo also is paying early benefits.
"I just wanted to be a better version of myself," Jarry said. "I think last season, I started off a little slow and I got better as the season went on. What happened in playoffs, I wanted to come back and be a better version. I wanted to be a better goaltender and a better person. I think that helped me coming into camp, then into preseason and then starting the season out strong."
You could imagine the pressure, especially at home following the meltdown in last year's postseason. Jarry had to face Marc-Andre Fleury in the home opener and then in the Dallas game, multiple times the crowd erupted in "Jarry, Jarry" chants.
"Every game I want to be a better goalie," Jarry said. "I like playing at home. We have great fans. They boost the whole team when we play at home. I think it's not just one player or a couple of players. I think the whole team feels it. The coaching staff, the players and everyone included."
"You guys have seen how Jars (Jarry) is playing the first five games of the year," said Pens defenseman Mark Friedman. "He's been quite incredible. We have the most confidence in the world in Jars to get the job done. He's been quite unbelievable."
Letang out
Pens confirmed tests came back positive for Kris Letang. The veteran defenseman remains in COVID-19 protocol.
Filling in for Letang is more than just making up for the four assists in four games. It's also the 26:08 of average ice time.
John Marino worked on the first team power play in practice Monday. Marino expected to remain on the top pair with Brian Dumoulin with Mike Matheson and Chad Ruhwedel and Marcus Pettersson and Friedman as the other defensive groupings.
Sid update
Sidney Crosby worked more in practice on Monday, but did not work with the top power play unit, which would suggest he may not be ready to play Tuesday against Tampa Bay.
"The fact that Sid is starting to participate consistently in our team practices is real encouraging," said Pens head coach Mike Sullivan. "That suggests he's a whole lot closer."
Quote of the Day
"We understand that we've only played a handful of games," Sullivan said. "There's a lot of hockey left to be played. We have to make sure that we stay in the moment and that we get better each and every day."
