Morning skate indicates Matt Murray could start Game 4 for Penguins

After the Senators Game 3 thrashing of the Penguins, the HNIC panel debates whether Pittsburgh should try to change the energy and start Matt Murray in Game 4, or go back with Fleury.

As the Pittsburgh Penguins hit the ice Friday morning for a skate ahead of a crucial Game 4 against the Ottawa Senators, there were indications the team will turn to Matt Murray as its starter.

As reported by Renaud Lavoie, Murray was the first goalie on the ice and had a net to himself for practice.

Fleury shared the other with Tristan Jarry.

Murray was also the first goalie off the ice, while Fleury remained for approximately an hour-long workout. All this would seem to indicate the team will turn to Murray Friday night.

Murray was the Penguins’ starter through the regular season, playing in 49 games, winning 32 and posting a .923 SP and 2.41 GAA. He was expected to be the team’s starter in the playoffs as well, but sustained a lower-body injury in pre-game warmups before Game 1 of Pittsburgh’s opening round series versus Columbus.

Last season, Murray burst on to the scene in the playoffs after Fleury went down with an injury. He had a .923 SP and 2.08 GAA en route to winning the Stanley Cup.

Fleury was pulled from Game 3 in the first period after allowing four goals. Murray came on in relief and allowed one goal on 20 shots.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.