Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic’s standout performance against Sabres (Source: Imagn)

Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Alex Nedeljkovic made history by becoming the first NHL goalie to record a goal and an assist in a game. He assisted Cody Glass’s second-period goal and later scored an empty-net goal from behind his net with 2:42 left in the game.

Bryan Rust had a simple reaction to Alex Nedeljkovic’s first NHL goal, saying:

“It’s awesome. I love that sh**.”

The Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated the achievement on X, writing:

“CAN’T SPELL LEGEND WITHOUT N-E-D.”

With this goal, Nedeljkovic became the first goalie to score in the ECHL (on Dec. 30, 2016), in the AHL (on Mar. 10, 2018 and Nov. 17, 2023), and in the NHL on Jan. 17, 2025.

The Penguins beat the Sabres 5-2, ending their three-game losing streak. Rickard Rakell, Anthony Beauvillier, Cody Glass, and Bryan Rust also scored. Despite being outshot 42-19, Pittsburgh scored three power-play goals on four attempts.

Sabres’ Owen Power and Zach Benson scored, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 14 saves. Buffalo has lost 18 of their last 24 games, falling to 6-14-4 during that stretch.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan praised Nedeljkovic:

“I thought he was spectacular all night,” Sullivan said, per The Athletic. “He made some huge saves throughout the game. We weren’t as tight defensively as we needed to be. He was there to make the saves for us. Our power play and Ned essentially made the difference in the game.”

The Penguins are now three points behind Boston for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Alex Nedeljkovic talked about the moment the goal went in

Alex Nedeljkovic had a standout game against the Buffalo Sabres. His 2024-25 stats include an 8-7-4 record, 3.40 GAA, .890 save percentage, and no shutouts, but this performance was different. However, Nedeljkovic was unaware that his shot was in line.

“I didn’t know at first if it was on line,” Nedeljkovic said (via The Athletic). “I didn’t see it until it was maybe at the far blue (line). Everybody was going nuts. Karl (Erik Karlsson) had his arms in the air. I thought, ‘Whoa, this is going to go in.’”

Nedeljkovic explained how playing the puck has always been part of his game, thanks to early advice from his dad.

“Don’t just throw the puck around the boards,” his dad would say.

This is the second straight season a Penguins goalie scored a goal. Last season Tristan Jarry, who is now assigned to the AHL, achieved it. His 40-save performance kept the Penguins in a strong position despite only 19 shots on goal.

The penguins will next play Washington Capitals tomorrow.