It’s been a rough go of things for Penguins goaltenders this season. Both Tristan Jarry and Alex Nedeljkovic are near the top of the league in some not so savory categories. Last night, was a break from not only the norms of this season, but the norms in league history. Alex Nedeljkovic accomplished a first in NHL history by scoring a goal and registering an assist.
Goalie goals are always an amazing thing and this play had me grinning ear to ear. It’s just a really fun thing and I wasn’t the only one
The best part of #Penguins Alex Nedeljkovic goalie goal? Sidney Crosby’s reaction and smile turning around to look at Ned when he knew it was going in. #LetsGoPens #GoalieGoal pic.twitter.com/D1vGy6EWM4
— Tim Williams (@realtimwilliams) January 18, 2025
Here are some looks at the history making play
FIRST GOALIE WITH A GOAL AND AN ASSIST IN A GAME IN NHL HISTORY 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wQ8XYPtEY5
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 18, 2025
Have yourself a night, Alex Nedeljkovic 📄 pic.twitter.com/zLbZwzv01f
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 18, 2025
He joins the following goalies on this rare feat
List of NHL goalie goals.
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 10:38 PM
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So as it turns out not only is he the only goalie to have a goal and an assist in an NHL game, but he’s the only goalie to score in the ECHL, AHL, and NHL. Move over Alexander Ovechkin
Nedeljkovic has now scored a goal in the ECHL, AHL and NHL. That can't possibly have happened before:
12/30/16, ECHL for Florida @ Atlanta
3/10/18, AHL for Charlotte v Hartford
11/17/23, AHL for Wilkes-Barre v Providence
1/17/25, NHL for Pens @ Sabres
— Bob Grove (@bobgrove91.bsky.social) January 17, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Alex Nedeljkovic becomes the first goalie to score in the:
— NHL (@NHL) January 18, 2025
- ECHL: Dec. 30, 2016
- AHL: Mar. 10, 2018 & Nov. 17, 2023
- NHL: Jan. 17, 2025
A natural goalscorer 😎
(🎥: @TheAHL, @ECHL) pic.twitter.com/JtYEtl276F
Not only will Nedeljkovic get to claim being the first goalie to accomplish what he has he will forever have this moment immortalized with a shirtless Geno
So much love for Alex Nedeljkovic, NHL goal-scorer 🫶 pic.twitter.com/fQu1kVaQZR
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 18, 2025
With the Penguins starting a seven game road trip this is the kind of thing that can start things off with tremendous vibes. They will be up against the conference leading Washington Capitals tonight which will include Alex Ovechkin’s 874 goals and Alex Nedeljkovic’s 1. A goal scoring matchup for the ages.
Thanks for reading!