According to Pittsburgh Penguins radio announcer Josh Getzoff, backup goaltender Casey DeSmith will get the start in goal tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
#Pens HCMS: Casey DeSmith will start against Columbus. Rest of lineup is game-time decision
— Josh Getzoff (@JG_PxP) January 21, 2022
DeSmith starts over No. 1 netminder, Tristan Jarry, in what’s the second half of a back-to-back. Jarry stopped 39 of 43 shots in Thursday’s 6-4 victory over the Ottawa Senators.
DeSmith last started January 5 against St. Louis, allowing three goals on sixteen shots before getting the hook. In eight starts this season, the 30-year-old has posted a 3-3-1 record, albeit a rough 3.47 GAA and .888 save percentage. He’ll be matched up against a Blue Jackets squad that sits 15th in goals per game at 3.1.
Despite the rough numbers, DeSmith could make for a decent salary saver in DFS slates tonight with a FanDuel price of just $8,000. The Pens are a full 16 points higher than Columbus in the standings, and their offense should be able to provide DeSmith plenty of support. The Jackets have allowed 132 goals this season – the fifth most in the NHL. Consider rolling the dice on the New Hampshire native.
FanDuel Sportsbook has DeSmith and the Pens at -230 on the moneyline.