Penguins to Keep Murray in Net for Game 6

The NHL Stanley Cup playoffs continue as conference semifinal series are being played out. In one Eastern Conference semifinals, the Washington Capitals have their hands full as their opponent the Pittsburgh Penguins hold a 3-2 lead in the series.

On Monday, Coach Mike Sullivan of the Pens announced that Matt Murray would remain in goal for the Pens for Game 6 in the series against the Capitals. Murray was the team’s backup during the regular season.

Murray is 6-2 in eight straight starts in the postseason for Pittsburgh was a goals-against-average of 1.96 and has been instrumental in Pittsburgh leading the league’s top team during the regular season.

Murray, who is just 21, allowed three goals in a Game 5 loss to the Caps. He faced 19 shots on the night.

Sullivan has praised the play of Murray while playing in front of Marc-Andre Fleury the veteran who is the team’s normal starter.

He said on Monday he wanted to continue playing the way he has and wants his teammates to continue helping out in front of him.

Fleury has not played for the Pens since a March 31 concussion he suffered. He has spent the last three games as the backup to Murray. He will remain in that role as the Pens attempt to advance to the Eastern Conference finals for the second time during the past four seasons in Game 6 on Tuesday.

Sullivan said the team had to deal with the hand it had been dealt when Fleury went down hurt but that Murray has played exceptionally well as Fleury’s replacement and did not want to change things as this point.

Fleury, who is a veteran and knows how the game works, said he understood the current situation.

On Monday, the goaltender said it was okay, when responding to a question about being the backup in goal. He added that the team has won its first round games and that they were handed the league’s best team during the regular season and are playing well nonetheless.

Fleury said he would remain positive and cheer his fellow teammates on.

The NHL playoffs continue again on Tuesday with Game 6 of this series.

In Monday night action, the Nashville Predators scored in overtime to tie their series at 3-3 against the San Jose Sharks.