Matt Murray stopped shots for a second straight day Friday. This time, it was during a full team practice after everything checked out OK following Thursday’s morning skate.
“I feel pretty good,” Murray said. “[Practicing] is another step in the right direction.”
The next one is traveling with the Penguins on their first — albeit brief — road trip of the season. That was the plan, barring a setback, after Murray was back out there Friday.
“We thought he had a strong practice. We’ll see how he responds,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “He’s status quo at this point. But we’ll make decisions on a day-to-day basis.”
That includes picking a starter for Saturday’s game in Montreal. Sullivan, as always, wasn’t going there a day before the game.
After Monday’s practice, Murray was diagnosed with his third concussion in 30 months. Sullivan later said Murray sustained the concussion Monday. He was not available for Thursday’s 4-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena.
Casey DeSmith was between the pipes in Murray’s absence. In his first start in more than six months, DeSmith stopped 35 of 37 shots, including a gymnastic save on a 2-on-0 break in the second period. Sullivan called DeSmith “the best player on the ice” after the game.
“He played awesome,” Murray said of his 27-year-old backup. “I thought the whole team played a pretty solid game yesterday, and Casey kept us in it and won the game for us.”
Murray was asked if DeSmith’s impressive performance might make him take things slower with his recovery, knowing that his net was in good hands. He was not asked about the flip side, what could happen if he misses another game or two and DeSmith keeps it going.
With his long-term health beyond hockey at risk, Murray said his “focus doesn’t change.”
“Just be honest with yourself and be honest with the doctors,” said Murray, who allowed 11 goals in two starts this season. “And I’m just going to do everything I can to get back.”
Rust remains on the top line
Sullivan changed up his lines in the second period of Thursday’s win, replacing right winger Patric Hornqvist with Bryan Rust on the top line alongside Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel. That trio responded with a goal by Guentzel and remained together at Friday’s practice.
“Rusty brings an element of speed to that line,” Sullivan explained Friday. “He can create a lot of loose pucks and turnovers with his speed, and it allows that line to get the puck back in certain situations. So, it’s just a different dynamic.”
The versatile forward is used to a revolving door of linemates. At least he can laugh about it.
“Yeah, I come to the rink and don’t really know which line I’m going to be on,” Rust said. “At this point, I just take what I’m given and try to make the most of it.”
Hornqvist, meanwhile, practiced in Rust’s old spot on a line with Derick Brassard and Dominik Simon.
Maatta back in the lineup?
Defenseman Olli Maatta was a healthy scratch Thursday in favor of countryman Juuso Riikola, who made his NHL debut, played just over 18 minutes and delivered four hits. But it appears Maatta, who played every game last season, won’t be sitting out for too long.
During Friday’s practice, Riikola and Maatta were paired together while Jamie Oleksiak was the partner of Chad Ruhwedel, who has yet to appear in a game this season.
So why did Sullivan team up Riikola and Maatta?
“They’re both from Finland,” he dead-panned.
“No, I’m just joking,” Sullivan reassured, then continued. “I think Olli’s a really smart player. He’s a good puck-mover. Juuso’s a good all-around player. He’s mobile. He can skate. He can pass the puck. He thinks the game. We thought he had a strong game last night. We’re trying to find combinations that hopefully at some point we can settle into.”
‘Stadium Series’ ticket details
Tickets to the outdoor “Stadium Series” game between the Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Fans can purchase tickets on Ticketmaster.com or through the NHL Ticket Exchange. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at $75 plus applicable fees.
Matt Vensel: mvensel@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mattvensel
First Published: October 12, 2018, 7:22 p.m.