Penguins will 'try to win every game in front of us' without injured G Tristan Jarry

The Pittsburgh Penguins know they'll be participating in the upcoming postseason tournament but haven't yet secured their final seed, as they'll head into Thursday night's home game against the Boston Bruins tied for third in the Metropolitan Division standings with the Washington Capitals with 97 points. 

Pittsburgh is also aware first-choice goaltender Tristan Jarry may not play anytime soon because of the right foot injury he suffered last Thursday that has him "week to week." Jarry was spotted on Wednesday using a scooter to get around and wearing what appeared to be a protective boot on his foot. Backup Casey DeSmith will get his second consecutive start on Thursday. 

DeSmith is 8-5-5 with a 2.89 goals-against average and .907 save percentage in 2021-22 and needs reps over Pittsburgh's final five regular-season contests played from Thursday evening through the night of April 29. However, emergency backup Louis Domingue has thus far played in one NHL game this season, and that was all the way back on Jan. 15.

While speaking with reporters Thursday, Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan discussed getting both goalies ready for the playoffs while attempting to avoid falling further in the standings. 

"I do think that given the fact that we're going to play four games in six nights here coming up, there's opportunity to utilize both goaltenders," Sullivan explained, according to Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports. "I just think out of necessity and putting players in positions where they can be successful. We have to manage workloads, as well. We have that in mind in the big picture."

Sullivan added: 

"We're going to try to win every game in front of us, and that's the way we look at it. We're going to put our best lineup on the ice tonight that we think is going to give us the best chance to win, and then we'll make decisions accordingly. We're trying to win that game right in front of us in hopes that we put our team in the best position to have success moving forward. We want to continue to grow as a hockey team."

Following Thursday's action, Pittsburgh will next play at the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.