If Matt Murray Doesn't Play in Game 7, Trouble Could Spell
The Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves in a familiar situation right now. After leading a playoff series 3-1 for the third time in six seasons, they face themselves with the adversity game seven.
They have lost both of those game 7's at home. This one is in a hostile Washington environment. I sparked the question last night to many people I know and asked should the Pittsburgh Penguins start Matt Murray in net for game 7?
I think they have no choice but to get momentum back on there side and that would start with a goalie change. I understand he had a lower-body injury for almost four weeks but he has skated a couple of times with his pads on in practice.
Murray injured himself in warmups before game 1 against Columbus. Marc-Andre Fleury is starting to falter in the clutch. Yes, he has been good and got them to this point, but it is time to make a change.
The last time Fleury has led his time to the conference finals was when the Pittsburgh Penguins won it all in 2009. The last two times they made it to the conference finals was in 2013 with Tomas Vokoun in net because of a bad first four games against the New York Islanders by the Flower.
The second time was last season with Matt Murray in net and eventually leading them to a championship.
Ever since the 2010 playoffs, Fleury has not been clutch when Pittsburgh can close out a series. He has only won three games in that span and he has an under .900 save percentage.
If he does start on Wednesday and the Penguins don't win, it will be the third time in six seasons that they will have blown a 3-1 series lead with him in net.
Pittsburgh had a 3-1 series lead last year three times and didn't blow a single one with Murray in net. Let that sink in for a moment. Also in 2011, Crosby and Malkin didn't play the entire season when they blew a 3-1 lead.
Murray will also feature a calm demeanor in net despite being shaky against the Capitals this season. Fleury can only take a team so far.
