On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
BUFFALO — The Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 at Key Bank Center Friday. Sure, the details are important, as are the crucial two points the Penguins earned in the win. However, the game also featured the hockey equivalent of an albatross when goalie Alex Nedeljkovic scored a goal.
According to the NHL, he also became the first goalie in NHL history to score a goal and assist in the same game. Coach Mike Sullivan said the players were teasing their goalie about needing a fight for a Gordie Howe hat trick.
At 17:18 of the third period, Nedeljkovic retrieved the puck from behind the Penguins net and let rip. The puck essentially traveled all 200 feet of the rink as Nedeljkovic let rip from behind the goal line.
Nedeljkovic had a special game on Friday. Days after the team waived starting goalie Tristan Jarry, calling up prospect Joel Blomqvist, Nedeljkovic staked his claim to the net with numerous tough saves and 40 total saves. He added to his stellar night between the pipes with a two-point game and his first NHL goal:
He split the posts from about 200 feet.
ALEX NEDELJKOVIC GOALIE GOAL
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) January 18, 2025
That was the 19th goalie goal in NHL history, counting the playoffs. The only other Penguins goalie to score a goal was Jarry last season in Tampa Bay.
After he released the shot, Nedeljkovic was hit by a Sabres forechecker and spun around, so he didn’t know where his shot was headed. When he was able to regain his footing, the puck was at the blue line.
“I saw it at the offensive blue line. I didn’t think it had a chance. There’s no way, (but) then I saw Erik Karlsson with his hands in the air,” Nedeljkovic said through a beaming smile he could not control.
The goalie then raced to the Penguins bench. He said he intended to high-five the players on the bench, but the celebration became much more. Nedeljkovic lept onto the bench as the team mobbed him.
“I love that s---,” said Bryan Rust.
As another anomaly to the goal, Nedeljkovic’s backup Friday was newly recalled Joel Blomqvist, who was also Nedeljkovic’s backup when he scored an AHL goal last season.
Nedeljkovic scored two career AHL goals and one in the ECHL, too. Friday was his first NHL goal. He couldn’t stop smiling.
More must-reads:
- NHL coaches who have the best chance of success with their new teams
- Is a Connor Bedard breakout coming in 2025-26?
- The '250-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Hockey Canada announces preliminary roster for 2026 Olympics
Hockey Canada will host an orientation camp from Aug. 26 to 28 in Calgary in preparation for its men’s, women’s and para hockey teams as they begin to formulate their rosters for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, the governing body announced Friday. That number includes 42 NHL players, locking in a list of potential names for the final rosters, which can be a maximum of 25 players (22 skaters, three goalies). The IIHF had previously announced Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Connor McDavid, Brayden Point, and Sam Reinhart as the country’s first six players back in June. One position that appears set for the Canadians is goaltending. Only three netminders are on their orientation camp roster: Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill, and Sam Montembeault. That’s the same trio that backstopped Canada to a win in February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Here’s the full initial talent pool that Canada’s braintrust will be choosing from, with an asterisk by each of the six players already locked into the roster: Forwards Connor Bedard (Blackhawks) Sam Bennett (Panthers) Quinton Byfield (Kings) Macklin Celebrini (Sharks) Anthony Cirelli (Lightning) Sidney Crosby (Penguins)* Brandon Hagel (Lightning) Bo Horvat (Islanders) Zach Hyman (Oilers) Seth Jarvis (Hurricanes) Wyatt Johnston (Stars) Travis Konecny (Flyers) Nathan MacKinnon (Avalanche)* Brad Marchand (Panthers) Mitch Marner (Golden Knights) Connor McDavid (Oilers)* Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Oilers) Brayden Point (Lightning)* Sam Reinhart (Panthers)* Mark Scheifele (Jets) Mark Stone (Golden Knights) Nick Suzuki (Canadiens) John Tavares (Maple Leafs) Robert Thomas (Blues) Carter Verhaeghe (Panthers) Tom Wilson (Capitals) Defensemen Evan Bouchard (Oilers) Noah Dobson (Canadiens) Drew Doughty (Kings) Aaron Ekblad (Panthers) Thomas Harley (Stars) Cale Makar (Avalanche)* Brandon Montour (Kraken) Josh Morrissey (Jets) Colton Parayko (Blues) Travis Sanheim (Flyers) Shea Theodore (Golden Knights) Devon Toews (Avalanche) MacKenzie Weegar (Flames) Goaltenders Jordan Binnington (Blues) Adin Hill (Golden Knights) Sam Montembeault (Canadiens) Hockey Canada has already announced its front office, led by Blues GM Doug Armstrong with Lightning GM Julien BriseBois, Stars GM Jim Nill, and Bruins GM Don Sweeney as his assistants. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is Canada’s director of player personnel and also had input in orientation camp selection, per the release, along with head coach Jon Cooper and former Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf, who’s with the team as a player relations advisor.
Top Micah Parsons landing spots as Cowboys' contract talks deteriorate
The relationship between superstar pass-rusher Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys doesn't appear to be improving. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported earlier in the week that the two sides were moving backward in their contract negotiations. On Friday, Parsons posted on his social media that he had requested a trade out of Dallas. However, The Athletic's Dianna Russini claimed the Cowboys have "no intention" of trading him. Given this information, let's take a look at three landing spots that make the most sense for Parsons. Denver Broncos The Broncos allowed the third-fewest amount of points in 2024-25 (311 points), per ESPN stats, and already have one of the best defensive units in football. Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and cornerback Jahdae Barron were added to the group this offseason, so why not continue to bolster? Denver owns all of its upcoming draft picks over the next three years, which could be used in a package to acquire Parsons. They are also set to have a ton of cap space available for 2026 and 2027, enabling them to put forth the contract offer that Parsons is seeking. With three more seasons of quarterback Bo Nix on a rookie deal, the Broncos could take advantage and go all in on the superstar pass-rusher, making a potent front seven that much more dangerous. Los Angeles Chargers The team that allowed even fewer points than the Broncos last season? The Chargers (301 points). Head coach Jim Harbaugh immediately righted the ship defensively upon his arrival, but there remain holes to fill. They've shed plenty of money in recent years, which included a former third-overall pick from 2016 in DE Joey Bosa. It's now time to use that cap space to bring in a difference maker on defense. Like Denver, Los Angeles holds all of its own draft picks from 2026 through 2028 and is capable of putting the pieces together to pry Parsons out of Dallas. Not only could the Chargers compensate the 26-year-old, but it's likely he would be fine with calling Los Angeles home. New England Patriots The Patriots currently have the most cap space in the NFL and are in a prime position to strike at any moment. It's been a difficult last few seasons in Foxborough, but the vibe has changed with new head coach Mike Vrabel taking over. The Patriots culture is back, and it's now up to the front office to provide Vrabel with more talent on both sides of the ball. New England is in desperate need of a game-breaking player. Parsons fits the mold perfectly. The Pats had a league-worst 28 sacks last season, per ESPN stats, so the pass rush could use some help. General manager Eliot Wolf is well-equipped with draft capital to feel comfortable making such a move.
Lakers Interested in $60 Million All-Star Big Man, Under One Condition
The Los Angeles Lakers were hunting for a center for most of the offseason after being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. They knew they needed an upgrade from Jaxon Hayes. While the Lakers didn't get any of the top centers on the free agent market, they were able to sign Deandre Ayton after he was bought out. Another center would be a better fit, but he wasn't available in the offseason. Nikola Vucevic has been linked to the Lakers dating all the way back to the trade deadline, although Vucevic was not moved. More news: Lakers Make Massive Announcement Ahead of 2025-26 Season The Lakers would only be interested in Vucevic if he were to be bought out, according to Anthony Irwin of ClutchPoints. Los Angeles will not be pursuing a trade to acquire Vucevic. After bringing in Ayton on a two-year deal, it wouldn't make sense to trade assets in order to bring in Vucevic. They want to see what Ayton can do before bailing on him already. The Lakers needed a starting center, as that was their biggest need heading into the offseason. While Ayton isn't the greatest option, he is someone who can help the team with what he brings to the table. The Bulls seem to think that Vucevic can still help them win games and contend for the playoffs in what will be a very weak Eastern Conference next season. If things don't go well by the time the trade deadline arrives, the Bulls might decide to buy him out if they aren't in the playoff picture. That would be the only scenario in which the Lakers bring him in. More news: Lakers Rumors: NBA Insider Provides Massive Update on Luka Doncic Extension The Lakers are always looking to improve the roster whenever possible. They aren't worried about hurting feelings, so they wouldn't hesitate to offer Vucevic a contract if they thought he was better than Ayton. With LeBron James entering the end of his career, the Lakers are going to try to win the title as quickly as possible while he is still on the roster. Last season with the Bulls, Vucevic averaged 18.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He shot 53 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from beyond the 3-point arc. More news: Former Lakers Castoff All-Star Linked to East Team in Free Agency For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.
Yankees' trade-deadline whirlwind may not be enough to win AL East
It was a busy trade deadline for the New York Yankees, who added Ryan McMahon, Amed Rosario, David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Austin Slater, José Caballero and Jake Bird (and Wilberson De Pena in rookie ball, if we want to get technical). Having done his part, Brian Cashman, the weary Yankee general manager, can lay his phone down and take a breather without negotiating something. The Yankees are, without a doubt, a much better team. But this raises an overlooked question: are they good enough? The Yankees lag the Blue Jays in the AL East by 3.5 games entering Friday. New York doesn’t necessarily need to win the division, as they seem to be bound for the postseason either way. However, they will likely need to face the Jays once they get there, and their 3-7 record against Toronto this season doesn’t bode well for them. How do the Yankees stack up after the deadline? McMahon has been a marvelous addition since he arrived in the Bronx. Rosario, who will presumably be used in place of McMahon when facing southpaws, can be an impact bat on those occasions. Both Doval and Bednar will be very helpful in lowering the temperature in the Yankees’ bullpen dumpster fire, which owns a 4.19 cumulative ERA entering Friday, before any of the recently traded arms could make their pinstripe debuts. But beyond these four (two of which will be platooned), the others are only marginal improvements. *Caballero’s 34 stolen bases are the most in the game this year. His 44 last year were the most in the AL. While no one can deny the Yankees’ roster has gotten stronger, Cashman failed to address the rotation, which has been plagued by inconsistent performances and pummeled by injuries. The team has also released Marcus Stroman in hopes that Luis Gil (will return on Sunday) and Ryan Yarbrough (expected to be back in August) can be as productive as they had been before their respective injuries (for Gil, that’s 2024). Meanwhile, in Toronto, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins wasn’t idle when it came to bolstering the rotation. Atkins was able to land former AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber from the Guardians, among other moves. Bieber is yet to pitch this year while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he is well on his way back, having made four rehab starts. If he can be a productive arm this year, this could easily add to the Yankees’ misery. The fact remains, if the Yankees are going to topple the Blue Jays (in the division, postseason or both), they will need a much higher level of reliability from their questionable rotation.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
