Penguins' Mike Sullivan: Louis Domingue 'excited about the opportunity' to start

Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Louis Domingue probably didn't envision himself in his current role about a month ago. 

With All-Star starting goalie Tristan Jarry out since April 14 because of a reported right foot injury, Domingue began the first-round postseason series against the New York Rangers as the backup to Casey DeSmith. The situation changed, however, when DeSmith suffered what was, at the time, an unknown lower-body injury in the second overtime period of Tuesday's Game 1 at Madison Square Garden. 

A cold Domingue who made only two NHL regular-season starts in 2021-22 saved all 17 shots he saw until superstar forward Evgeni Malkin deflected home a game-winner in the third extra frame to give the Penguins a 1-0 series lead. Domingue had additional time to prepare for Thursday's Game 2 but looked more like a third-choice option when he allowed five goals on 40 shots in a 5-2 loss at the Rangers. 

The 30-year-old now knows he's atop the depth chart for at least Saturday night's Game 3 in Pittsburgh, as head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed that DeSmith underwent core muscle surgery on Friday morning and won't play again during the playoffs. 

"I think [Domingue] is really excited," Sullivan said of his emergency starter, per Wes Crosby of the NHL's website. "I think he's excited about the opportunity. I think he's played well to this point. He's a confident kid, as you know. I think that really helps him in this circumstance. But I think he's really excited about the opportunity in front of him."

Knowing DeSmith wouldn't be available, the Penguins recalled Alex D'Orio from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League on Wednesday to serve as Domingue's backup until further notice. 

"Obviously not an easy spot for him coming in as a young guy like that," forward Teddy Blueger said of D'Orio, who turned 23 years old last month and has never played in an NHL game. "He looked great [in practice]. I think the guys are trying to make him feel welcome. I think that makes a big difference. Hopefully, he feels comfortable here and feels a part of the team."

Jarry, meanwhile, has remained "day-to-day" since the end of the regular season, but there has yet to be a single promising update regarding his potential return: