UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Tristan Jarry will be back in goal when the Penguins face the New York Islanders tonight at 7:08 at Nassau Coliseum.
It will be his first start since Jan. 28.
Jarry, in his first season as the Penguins' undisputed No. 1 goalie, has struggled in early weeks of 2020-21, compiling a 2-3-1 record, along with a goals-against average of 3.92 and a save percentage of .859.
He's not the only one who figures to return tonight, as the Penguins could get back several players who have been injured.
Mike Sullivan confirmed today that defensemen Kris Letang, John Marino and Mike Matheson will be available, although he wouldn't confirm which, if any, will dress for the Islanders game.
• The one tonight will be the Penguins' first since Monday, because a scheduled two-game homestand against New Jersey had to be postponed because of COVID-19 issues on the Devils. "I think we had a productive week in practice," Sullivan said. The Islanders, by the way, haven't played since a 4-3 overtime loss to Philadelphia Sunday.
• The schedule revisions announced today mean the Penguins will have a lot of shoehorned into a relatively short period of time as the season progresses. "Regardless of what that schedule looks like, we're going to try to win the game right in front of us," Sullivan said. "Our first objective is to solidify a playoff spot, and we're going to do everything in our power to win that game right in front of us."
• Sullivan said winger Zach Aston-Reese, who is recovering from shoulder surgery and has been practicing with his teammates, still isn't ready to rejoin the lineup.
• Rookie winger Drew O'Connor, recalled from the taxi squad today, was praised by Sullivan. "We really like the progress Drew has made," he said. "He's a big, strong kid who skates really well. He's strong on the puck. He has decent hockey sense. We've used him on the second power play. He's done a little bit of penalty-killing for us. ... We really like -- and are excited about the potential of -- Drew continuing to improve."