Murray Saves Penguins Bacon in Shootout Loss

It’s one of the golden rules. If you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.

As our present Pittsburgh Penguins continue to reveal more flaws than a botched plastic surgery, it’s increasingly difficult for me to find positives to write about.

I suppose if you dig deep enough through the rubble of the team’s recent 3-7-2 slide you’ll find some bright spots. The Pens have played harder—and had more flow—under new coach Mike Sullivan. More energy, too. Sidney Crosby resembled “the Kid” of old last night with a spirited two-point effort. Recent acquisition Trevor Daley looks like a steal. And…um…(crickets chirping).

You get the picture.

Well, not entirely. Four games into his NHL career, goaltender Matt Murray has shone. Indeed, there were numerous occasions during last night’s disappointing 2-1 shootout loss to Toronto at the Consol when No. 30 saved the Pens’ bacon. Or more accurately, helped them salvage a desperately needed point.

While his teammates dissolved into an on-ice version of the Bad News Bears, Murray remained cool as the proverbial cucumber. On the heels of a dazzling toe save on Nazem Kadri to cap the second period the rangy rookie staved off a veritable tidal wave of breakaways, including one by sharpshooter James van Riemsdyk and another by the equally dangerous Tyler Bozak.

Alas, Murray sagged in the shootout—yielding tallies to Peter Holland and P-A Parenteau—to dim the luster of a 34-save performance. But only slightly.

“I was pretty proud of how I played in the third period,” Murray noted. “I thought I made a couple saves that kind of kept our momentum a little bit. I just have to come up with a save in the shootout, and this game has a different outcome.”

It’s safe to say the Penguins are pleased, too. Since his arrival in the Steel City on December 16, Murray’s posted a microscopic 1.72 goals-against average and a sterling .938 save percentage. The former third-round pick has lived up to his press clippings…and more.

It continues a remarkable run of success at the pro level for the 21-year-old native of Thunder Bay, Ontario. Last season Murray set the American Hockey League on its collective ear, posting a brilliant 1.58 GAA and establishing a league record with 12 shutouts. In the process he garnered two major awards—the Baz Bastien (Best Goaltender) and the Dudley “Red” Garrett (Rookie of the Year)—while earning AHL First-Team All-Star honors. Thanks in large part to Murray’s heroics, the Baby Pens captured the Harry Holmes Memorial Award for fewest goals allowed.

The kid’s play underscores the black-and-gold’s enviable depth between the pipes. Indeed, with Murray and equally promising Tristan Jarry slotted behind reigning team MVP Marc-Andre Fleury and backup Jeff Zatkoff, the Pens boast a quartet of goalies few teams can match.

A strength that bodes well for the future. One that may afford GM Jim Rutherford the luxury of a significant move down the road.