The Pittsburgh Penguins are sticking with rookie goaltender Matt Murray for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Murray has been strong in the Penguins’ crease so far this post-season, registering a .929 save percentage with a 2.15 GAA and one shutout in 10 playoff games.
Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan noted the young goaltender’s impressive play during Sunday’s media availability.
“He has a maturity level beyond his years,” Sullivan told reporters. ” I think he responds to adversity extremely well. He has a really good work ethic and preparation process that he puts himself in a position to be successful, and he’s a very good goalie.”
“He’s made timely saves throughout the course of this playoffs and leading up to the playoffs that have given our team a chance to win,” Sullivan said of the 21-year-old. “I watched him do the same thing when I was in the American League in Wilkes-Barre. I think when you combine all those things, there’s no surprise as to why he’s as good as he is.”
The Penguins are down 1-0 in the series after Friday’s 3-1 loss.
The Lightning have not yet named their Game 2 starter, as star netminder Ben Bishop is listed as day-to-day after being stretchered off the ice early in Game 1 with a lower body injury. Andrei Vasilevskiy stepped in to backstop the Lightning to victory.
