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Penguins: Matt Murray Right Choice for Game 6

ByRich Donahue

May 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) plays the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pens won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Matt Murray (30) plays the puck against the Washington Capitals during the second period in game three of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pens won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Washington Capitals in Game 6 of their Stanley Cup Playoff series Tuesday at Consol Energy Center.

After thePenguinsloss in Game 5 to the Washington Capitals, there has been speculation whether coachMike Sullivanwould make a change in net. Rookie goalieMatt Murrayallowed 3 goals in Saturday’s loss, which sent the series to a Game 6.Marc-Andre Fleuryhas been the Penguins backup for much of this series after sitting with concussion –like symptoms since the end of March.

Sullivan announced Monday that Murray will remain in net for Tuesday’s Game 6. There are some fans and media members who have been calling for the team to go back to a now healthy Fleury. The people in the Fleury camp do have a legit grip; he is a proven, Stanley Cup winning goalie who has performed great this season and in past playoffs.

The Penguins were faced with a similar goalie debate in the 1996 playoffs. Starting goalieTom Barrassowent down with back spasm in the middle of Game 4 in their first round series with the Capitals. BackupKen Wreggetwas thrust into action after the injury and the Penguindid not skip a beatwith the veteran in net. Wregget went 7-2 with Barrasso out, finishing off the first round series and remained the starter for the quarterfinals vs the New York Rangers, losing only one game in the series.

His second postseason loss came in Game 1 of the conference finals against the Florida Panthers, a 5-1 defeat. With Barrasso now healthy, the Penguins coach at the time Eddie Johnston benched Wregget for the remainder of the series. Though Barrasso won his first start back inGame 2, they would go on the lose the series in seven games.

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What is different about this goalie situation is Murray has yet to play his way out of the starting spot. Of the three goals he gave up Saturday night, you can only put one of those on the rookie. Stopping aAlexander Ovechkinslap shot is tough even for a veteran like Fleury. The third goal was onBrian Dumoulinwhose attempted pass to center ice went right to Justin Williams, sealing the win for the Capitals.

Even if Fleury was named the starter for Game 6, you would have to expect him to be rusty. He hasn’t played since the end of March and starting him against the presidents’ trophy winners off a long delay could be disastrous for the Penguins.

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Sticking with Murray for Game 6 is the smart, safe choice for the Penguins. Unless he is run out of Consol by the Capitals, Murray should be the starter again if this series reaches a Game 7.