Casey DeSmith’s first NHL appearance earlier this season — mop-up duty a blowout loss in Winnipeg — was not an ideal scenario.
Fast-forward four months, though, and the situation DeSmith finds himself in could hardly be more of a 180-degree turn.
DeSmith stopped 17 of 18 shots Sunday night to give the Penguins a 3-1 win against Dallas and an important two points in the standings with just 12 games remaining in the regular season.
As Matt Murray works his way back from a concussion, the Penguins will rely on the rookie random of Tristan Jarry and DeSmith.