With the 4 Nations Face-off about to come to a close on Thursday when Team USA and Team Canada square off for a rematch in the championship game, the Pittsburgh Penguins decided to get ahead of their return-to-play following the break.

On Tuesday, the Penguins recalled goaltender Joel Blomqvist and forward Emil Bemstrom from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate.

In a corresponding move, goaltender Tristan Jarry was re-assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Blomqvist, 23, was sent down when the 4 Nations Face-off break ensued in order to get some playing time during the break, as the young goaltender had only started two of Pittsburgh’s final nine games before the break due to the stellar play of Alex Nedeljkovic. In three AHL starts during that time, Blomqvist went 1-1-1 with a .900 save percentage.

Bemstrom, 25, was recalled for two games prior to the break. Although he didn’t post any points in those two NHL games, he is enjoying a stellar season in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with 20 goals and 44 points in 41 AHL games. He was also named an AHL All-Star this season.

The Penguins return to regular season play on Saturday, when they take on the Washington Capitals at home. Pittsburgh is 23-25-9 on the season and currently sits six points out of the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

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