TAMPA, Fla. — Rookie goaltender Matt Murray will return to the net for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final tonight.
Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed his decision during a meeting with reporters after the Penguins’ game-day skate at Amalie Arena, killing the suspense long before the puck drops at 8 p.m. for the Penguins’ biggest game of the season. The club faces elimination by the Tampa Bay Lightning, which leads the series 3-2.
Murray was sidelined in favor of veteran Marc-Andre Fleury for the final period of Game 4 and all of Game 5.
Sullivan said he returned to Murray, who turns 22 at midnight, because of his rookie’s body of work during the postseason.
“Matt has played extremely well for us throughout the course of the playoffs,” said Sullivan. “He’s won a lot of big games for us. He’s made timely saves for us. He has a demeanor back there, a calming effect on the group in front of him. I think his performance speaks for itself.
“He’s been thrown into a tough situation, and he’s handled it extremely well. So at this particular point in the season, it’s, we don’t have the luxury of letting, of allowing players to play through things. We have to win a game. We have to win a hockey game. And that's how we looked at it.”
Fleury did not play poorly, but appeared to wear down as Game 5 progressed on Sunday night. He finished with 21 stops on 25 shots. Prior to his relief appearance in Game 4, he had not played a game since March 31, when he suffered a concussion.
Fleury, in one start and one relief appearance, has compiled a 3.04 goals-against and .875 save percentage.
Murray is 9-4 in the playoffs with a 2.33 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. He has started 13 of the team’s 16 playoff games.
Teammates said the goaltending decision was not a topic of discussion for them.
“To be honest, it’s not a distraction in the least,” said winger Eric Fehr. “We have two really good goaltenders, three really good goaltenders…We’re not worried about it at all. It’s not talked about. We’re focused on playing hard.”
Agreed, said veteran Matt Cullen.
“No. I mean, both guys have been unreal truthfully. We love both these guys,” said Cullen. “They’ve both been really good for us this whole season. We’re really fortunate we have two No. 1 goaltenders.”
In another move, Conor Sheary apparently will move back onto left wing on the No. 1 line, with Sidney Crosby and Patric Hornqvist. Beau Bennett had replaced Sheary in Game 5.
“Conor brings a lot of energy,” Sullivan said.
Dave Molinari: Dmolinari@Post-Gazette.com and Twitter @MolinariPG. Jenn Menendez: jmenendez@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JennMenendez
First Published: May 24, 2016, 4:25 p.m.