Archibald, Jarry contributing with Edmonton return ahead
COLUMBUS — As the Penguins prepare to face the Oilers’ dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, they’ve recently received important contributions from two of their own players with Edmonton ties.
Josh Archibald and Tristan Jarry were terrific during Saturday’s 6-3 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena, Archibald providing a spark in his fourth-line role and Jarry continuing a strong start to the season — no small thing considering the ankle injury he suffered this past spring.
A free agent after spending the past three seasons in Edmonton — which included a stretch skating with McDavid and Draisaitl on the Oilers’ top line — Archibald returned to his NHL roots this offseason on a oneyear, $900,000 deal.
Through five games, Archibald — who played only eight games in 2021-22 because of a heart issue brought on by COVID-19 — has been a snug fit after winning a job in the preseason.
Archibald scored his first goal of the season Saturday, drew a penalty and delivered a hit that led to another tally, bringing his season total to a team-high 18. When looking at hits per 60 minutes of ice time, Archibald (21.68) ranks ninth among skaters with more than one game played.
“He brings a ton of energy,” coach Mike Sullivan said of Archibald. “That’s the game we know he’s capable of bringing to our team. When he does that, his energy is contagious.”
The Penguins certainly needed it Saturday when they trailed 2-0 after the first period.
A sixth-round pick (174th overall) of the Penguins in 2011, Archibald played 10:53 and finished as a plus-2. He goaded Blue Jackets defenseman Andrew Peeke into a cross- checking minor at 11:22 of the first period by delivering a hard (but legal) hit.
The right- shot winger
later flashed some skill by firing a nasty wrist shot from the left circle to give the Penguins their first goal.
“He was huge,” Danton Heinen said. “He was buzzing. ... He plays with a lot of energy. He definitely can build momentum for your team.”
Although he’s only 5-foot10, 176 pounds, Archibald doesn’t play like it. He racked up 192 hits with the Oilers in 2020-21, in only 52 games. That mark would have easily led the Penguins. Two years prior, while with Arizona, Archibald scored 12 goals and amassed a career-high 22 points in 68 games.
“That’s part of my game,” Archibald said of playing physical. “Has been my whole career. I love doing it. I think it can swing momentum if you get a nice hit and get the team pumped up. It’s just something I love doing.”
And a facet of play that’s occasionally surprising for opponents given his slight frame.
“I was always one of the smallest kids growing up,” Archibald continued. “I always had to stick up for myself. My dad (former NHLer Jim) was small, but he was a tough person, too. I think a lot of it stems from how I grew up and how I was taught to play the game.”
As for Jarry, who played junior hockey for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, he’s been absolutely fantastic thus far — and arguably
his best during the first period Saturday.
Jarry looked athletic while moving side-to-side on a sprawling spot to deny Sean Kuraly. He read 2-on-1s well to make key saves on Justin Danforth and Jakub Voracek.
The way the Penguins started, they might’ve incurred a lopsided loss had it not been for Jarry’s sturdy play in goal.
“He stood on his head and gave us a chance to climb back into it,” Sidney Crosby said. “It wasn’t a massive deficit after one. Down two goals, we felt like we could get back into it. That’s all because of him.”
Blueger to LTIR
With Teddy Blueger’s recovery from injury not progressing as they had hoped and Jake Guentzel still not ready to practice with the team Sunday afternoon at Rogers Place, the Penguins recalled forwards Sam Poulin and Drake Caggiula.
In order to create the cap space for Poulin and Caggiula, who did not make it to Alberta in time for Sunday’s practice, the Penguins placed Blueger on long-term injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 11. That means he must sit out at least 10 games and 24 days. The earliest Blueger can return is Nov. 5 against Seattle.