In a surprising roster decision, the Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that backup goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic will be getting the start in Tuesday night's game against the Dallas Stars, while defenseman John Ludvig will make his team and NHL debut.

This will mark Nedeljkovic's second start of the season with the Penguins, having previously led the team to victory against Calgary with an impressive 34 saves on October 14th. In contrast, the team's No. 1 goaltender, Tristan Jarry, has started the other four games, with a record of 1-3.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan explained that the decision to give Nedeljkovic the start is a strategic move to manage the workload of both goaltenders and capitalize on their abilities to secure wins. Sullivan stated, "We look at our schedule. We're trying to manage the workloads of both goaltenders, and we believe we have two quality goaltenders that can both give us an opportunity to win."

The Penguins signed 27-year-old Nedeljkovic as a free agent during the offseason, intending for him to serve as Jarry's backup. This decision comes after two consecutive losses for the Penguins, including a frustrating 4-2 defeat against St. Louis that left both coach Sullivan and the players disappointed.

Looking ahead, Jarry is expected to be in line to start on Thursday when the undefeated Colorado Avalanche visit.

In addition to the goaltending change, defenseman John Ludvig is set to make his debut for the Penguins. It is believed that he will slot into the third defensive pairing alongside Ryan Shea. Ludvig, 23, was claimed off waivers from Florida just before the start of the regular season.

Commenting on Ludvig's addition to the lineup, coach Sullivan praised his defensive skills and presence on the ice. Sullivan said, "I think he's a steady, solid defensive defenseman. I think he's going to bring us some grit in the battle areas. He defends well. He skates well. He has a good stick."

Penguins fans had the opportunity to see both Nedeljkovic and Jarry in action during the optional morning skate on Tuesday at the PPG Paints Arena. With the exception of certain players, the majority of the team participated, demonstrating their dedication and commitment to improving their performance.

As the Penguins aim to regain their winning momentum, the decision to start Nedeljkovic and give Ludvig an opportunity to showcase his skills reflects the team's determination to find the winning formula. Only time will tell if these changes will be successful against the Dallas Stars, but the organization is hopeful that the adjustments will provide the team with a much-needed boost.