DeSmith's Strong Performance Is One to Build On
He made 30 saves in Pittsburgh's 3-2 shootout setback to Detroit on Friday
Sullivan told his goaltender that he took responsibility for putting him in a tough spot, as they would've liked to get him more practice time after coming out of the COVID-19 protocol, but an injury to Louis Domingue forced their hand.
The talk meant a lot to DeSmith, who switched his goalie pads after the team got back to Pittsburgh - "I needed out of those. Just not very good juju," he said with a smile - and went to work.
DeSmith buckled down with goalie coach Andy Chiodo during practice to try and recapture his best game after what had been a tough first half of the season for him personally. Between the schedule, the All-Star caliber play of fellow goaltender Tristan Jarry, and that period spent i the COVID protocol, he wasn't able to get consistent playing time. And whenever DeSmith did get in, he wasn't thrilled with his performances.
"I've had some bad luck. I've had some bad games," DeSmith, 30, said. "Just trying to work with Andy on what works best for me … and just trying to do whatever I can for my own game. I think we've done a really good job with that."
After Sullivan announced that DeSmith would be starting in the second game of their back-to-back set on Friday against Detroit, he referenced all of that hard work prior to puck drop, saying they believed the netminder would have a good game. And he did.
DeSmith was terrific in Pittsburgh's 3-2 shootout setback to the Red Wings, making 30 saves - including four in overtime - to help the Penguins procure a point for the 19th time in their past 21 games.
"It felt good to be in the game until the end, make some good saves, and hold the team in it," DeSmith said before shaking his head and adding with a wry laugh, "Obviously, I hate losing. It hurts. I would've loved to had that one."
But even though the Penguins didn't get the win, DeSmith should be able to get plenty of traction and confidence from a performance like the one he had tonight. He was strong from start to finish, literally.
"I thought he was really locked in, do that's really encouraging for Case," Sullivan said. "We're happy for him, and that's what he's capable of doing for us. Hopefully, I think this is one he can build on for sure. I thought he played real well."
The Penguins have been playing a lot of hockey lately, as they are in the midst of a six-games-in-nine-days stretch coming off a 12-day road trip. Fatigue has been a real factor, especially in the second half of a back-to-back, and it showed in tonight's start. The Penguins just didn't have a lot of juice, and the Wings took advantage, tilting the ice and outshooting them 11-5 in the first period.
Fortunately, DeSmith was sharp from the start, and kept his team in it - allowing them to find their legs and play pretty solid in the second and third. They battled back from deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 with a pair of goals from Jake Guentzel to force overtime, where DeSmith starred.
His best save came just 37 seconds in, when he absolutely robbed Detroit's All-Star captain Dylan Larkin on a 2-on-1.
"It was Geno who was the D-man, and I don't think he has much experience playing 2-on-1s," DeSmith said with a smile. "So, I just tried to force the guy to make a pass and throw everything I could over there. Sometimes it goes right in your glove and looks good."
From there, DeSmith said it was about staying in the moment and knowing that there was still a lot of high-stakes hockey left to play. He continued to be rock solid back there, stopping two of three shooters in the shootout. Unfortunately, the Penguins couldn't convert any of their tries.
"He played tremendous," Guentzel said. "A couple of big saves there in overtime, so that was cool to see. We have a lot of confidence in Casey, and we know he's a really good goaltender for us. We might not given him the help we have lately, but for him to get some confidence from this game will be big for us."
