Casey DeSmith Sets Franchise Record in Penguins Win
The Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the Boston Bruins at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday, and it quickly became the Casey DeSmith show for the Pens.
DeSmith has been thrust into the lineup regularly over the last several games as a result of the injury to starter Tristan Jarry. DeSmith did not have a strong start to the 2021-2022 campaign, but he has improved his numbers to a 2.75 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.
It’s unclear how long the Penguins will have to turn to the 30-year-old backup netminder, but it appears as though it could be into the postseason. For that reason, it’s encouraging that he has played in four of his club’s last five games and has been solid in the process.
In those four outings, DeSmith has saved 145 of the 153 shots he’s faced (.948 save percentage), and that impressive output was highlighted by Thursday’s record-setting performance.
Casey DeSmith set a Penguins record on Thursday.
The Bruins are known for firing pucks to the net at a higher rate than their opponents, and on Thursday, the B’s launched 52 pucks on goal. Casey DeSmith saved every shot.
His 52-save shutout sets a Pittsburgh record for saves in a shutout. It also marks a new career-high for DeSmith in terms of saves made in a game, which he set at 48 in a 5-3 victory back in 2018 (also against Boston, ironically).
DeSmith’s stellar performance helped the Pens fend off a few fierce rallies by the Bruins to hang on for the win. He and forward Jake Guentzel, who recorded his fifth NHL hat trick and his second 40-goal season in this game, guided Pittsburgh to an important pair of points.
The 4-0 victory gives the Penguins a two-point advantage over the Washington Capitals, who have been hunting the Pens down in an effort to steal the third spot in the Metropolitan Division.
More. The Boston Bruins Will Not be an Easy Out in the Playoffs. light
DeSmith and the Penguins have four games left before the playoffs begin. If Pittsburgh can get goaltending like this in those games and in the postseason, the Pens will quickly become a team that no one in the Eastern Conference will want to play.