DeSmith stopped 10 of 12 shots before being replaced by Tristan Jarry to begin the second period of Friday's 5-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

EDGE Analysis

There's been no word DeSmith suffered any kind of injury and the score was only tied 2-2 at the first intermission, but coach Mike Sullivan didn't like what he was seeing from the netminder and made the switch. After the game, Sullivan suggested DeSmith was put in a bad spot due to Louis Domingue's foot injury and probably wasn't ready for extended action after coming out of the COVID-19 protocols Thursday, Taylor Haase of DKPittsburghSports.com reports. Nonetheless, unless Pittsburgh makes a trade for a new backup goalie, DeSmith -- who has a rough 3.58 GAA and .886 save percentage -- is the only option the team has right now when Jarry needs a breather.