"It's tough sitting at home and watching the games on TV and not be able to do anything or help the guys," DeSmith said back at training camp. "Definitely a frustrating spot, somewhere I've never been before, but hopefully it's the last time."
Unfortunately, the Penguins netminder is experiencing that situation for a second straight year. Head coach Mike Sullivan said that DeSmith had successful core muscle surgery this morning (Friday, May 6), and he will be unavailable for the rest of the playoffs.
After serving as Pittsburgh's backup during the regular season, DeSmith entered this series as the starter with Tristan Jarry currently listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury that has sidelined him since April 14.
DeSmith suffered the injury in Game 1 against the New York Rangers on Tuesday, exiting at the 9:18 mark of the second overtime period. He initially skated to the bench and conferred with head athletic trainer Chris Stewart before going to the locker room. He did not return to action, and remained out for Game 2 on Thursday.
With Jarry continuing his rehab, that means the net now belongs to Louis Domingue, who spent most of the year as Pittsburgh's No. 3 goaltender, for the foreseeable future.
"I think he's really excited. I think he's excited about the opportunity," Sullivan said. "I think he's played well to this point. He's a confident kid, and I think that really helps him in this circumstance. But I think he's really excited about the opportunity in front of him."
Domingue has said his job is to be ready when called upon, and he's been excellent since being thrust into action. He made 17 saves in relief after becoming the first goaltender in NHL history to enter a playoff game in the second overtime or later, and followed that up with another solid performance in Game 2.
Although the Penguins fell to the Rangers 5-2, the score didn't reflect how Domingue played, as essentially only one of those goals beat him clean, with the others getting tipped or deflected. Sidney Crosby said Domingue did a 'heck of a job' competing and giving them a chance to win.
"I think last night, he was really good and made some big saves for us, kept us in the game," forward Teddy Blueger said. "A couple times there I think he handled the puck really well, played with confidence. So I think we're all behind him. We know he can get the job done. He's played really well for us."
Alex D'Orio will continue to serve as the backup. The 23-year-old netminder split his season between WBS, where he appeared in 11 games, and Wheeling of the ECHL, where he played in 11 games.
"Obviously not an easy spot for him coming in as a young guy like that, but I think the guys are trying to make him feel welcome and at ease in the room and stuff, because I think that makes a big difference," Blueger said. "Hopefully he feels comfortable here and he feels a part of the team, because I think that can go a long way towards his play on the ice and stuff."
OTHER INJURY UPDATES
- Defenseman Brian Dumoulin, who missed Game 2 with a lower-body injury, is day to day.
- Winger Rickard Rakell, who left in the first period of Game 1 after taking a high hit and hasn't played since, skated on his own this morning with skills coach Ty Hennes and is day-to-day.
- Winger Jason Zucker, who has been out since leaving in the penultimate regular-season game with a lower-body injury, has been practicing with the team and will be a game-time decision for Game 3.
