We’ve all heard the comparisons.
He’s the next Ken Dryden. A sure-fire NHL All-Star for years to come. Maybe even a future Hall of Famer.
The plaudits…and excitement…were understandable. Especially given the way Penguins rookie goalie Matt Murray wowed us down the homestretch and through the first couple of rounds of the playoffs.
So cool. So focused. So economical in his movements. Virtually unbeatable down low.
And now?
Those good traits are still very much ingrained in the youngster’s play. Along with the mental toughness that allows the 22 year old to shrug off goals—good and bad—with a remarkable equanimity.
Yet the aura of invincibility that surrounded the Thunder Bay native through his record-setting 2014-15 season as a rookie pro with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (12 shutouts) and early starts with the black and gold seems to have faded.
Have chinks begun to show in Murray’s armor?
It would appear so.
Going back to the Washington series, opponents have been working to a set plan. And a perceived weakness. Shoot high to the glove side.
The Sharks seem to have discovered a second hole between Murray’s glove hand and body, which they’ve exploited twice over the past three contests. San Jose defenseman Brent Burns added his own wrinkle on the opening goal in Game 5. Feint to Murray’s glove side. Then cross the kid up and shoot stick side.
An effective strategy. One that seems to have No. 30 guessing just a bit. And a little off balance between the pipes.
Let’s back up a step. All goalies have flaws. Marc-Andre Fleury? A tendency to scramble and cough up juicy rebounds. Not to mention his dicey puckhandling.
Legends like Dryden, Martin Brodeur, and Patrick Roy were human, too.
Anyone remember the fateful night in December of 1995 when Roy blew a gasket and yielded nine goals in 32 minutes against Detroit? Or when Brodeur uncharacteristically leaked for a pair of goals in the final 80 seconds of a Game 7 against Carolina to single-handedly blow a playoff series in ‘09?
It happens to the best of ‘em.
Heck, even Dryden wasn’t airtight during his much-ballyhooed playoff debut back in ‘71. Yes, he backstopped Montreal to the Stanley Cup and won the Conn Smythe Trophy. But his record (12-8) and goals-against average (3.00)?
Hardly spectacular.
Murray’s postseason numbers glitter by comparison. A sparkling 2.14 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. Most important of all, 14 big wins.
Another victory and he caps one of the most remarkable playoff performances in team history. One that would cement his already burgeoning reputation and allow him to join Fleury and Tom Barrasso among the Pens’ pantheon of Cup-winning goalies.
Is he up to the task?
I’ll answer the question with an observation. During a stop in play late in Game 5, just before he was pulled for an extra attacker, Murray flipped up his mask and drank some water. There was something in the way he returned the squeeze bottle to the holder that caught my eye.
Anger. Determination.
The kid’ll be ready.
Gordie Howe Passes Away
The game lost one of its all-time greats on Friday. Gordie Howe—the beloved “Mr. Hockey”—passed away peacefully at the age of 88.
Over the course of a stellar Hall-of-Fame career that spanned 32 seasons and five decades, Howe displayed skill, strength and a remarkable durability. Not to mention a legendary on-ice mean streak and the sharpest set of elbows around.
A prototype power forward, the slope-shouldered right wing amassed an astounding 801 goals and 1850 points in 1767 NHL games. During his six seasons in the World Hockey Association, Howe tallied an additional 174 goals and 508 points.
One of the most decorated skaters ever, the 12-time First Team NHL All-Star earned six Hart trophies and six Art Ross trophies. Teamed with Sid Abel and “Terrible” Ted Lindsay on Detroit’s famed “Production Line,” Howe led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups over a six-season span in the ‘40s and ‘50s.
Known for his kindness, generosity of spirit, and humility, the Saskatchewan native became one of hockey’s greatest goodwill ambassadors after hanging up his skates in 1980.
2016 Stanley Cup Champions …….
Hey Rick, Jim, Phil,
All great stuff!
Jim, the first hockey game I ever went to, the Pens played the Red Wings, so my first live experience of hockey was watching Gordie Howe. I am glad you shared those off ice stories. I was watching a tribute this morning showing a bit of the rivalry between Richard and Howe, so the story of Howe accepting Richards accolades is well timed for me.
As for Murray, I agree, he is still the man. No offense to MAF and despite failing to close out he is the Pens future and he is only 22. I may no longer think he is a strong Conn Smythe candidate, he has phenominal focus and resilience.
Hey Rick,
Really good article on both Murray and Mr. Hockey !
With reference to Matt Murray…. as you say all the great Goalies have flaws.
But what I hear from many former Coaches, goalies including Ken Dryden, Brodeur, even # 99 all say Murray is special. The future is here today most of them say.These people are from all over North America and are NOT Pens, or MAF fans but they are Hockey people and realize Murray is mentally tough, very intelligent and he can see the game developing before the play actually happens. I think we are all being deceived a little in that Jones in the Sharks net is making many more saves and most of them are really good scoring chances and when Murray gets beat by some easy goals and we begin to question his ability.
The first goal he was screened and it was a great shot.Yes he is being tested by some of the best shooters in the game and he will learn to overcome these perceived weaknesses they are trying to exploit. But we should all remember one thing. Mike Sullivan supports Murray for only one reason !
Simply put, he believes Murray will WIN us a Cup and MAF won’t.
Anybody that disagrees, you should call Coach Mike Sullivan !
I trust his judgement .
Point 2. Mr. Hockey. We all have Gordie Howe stories.His many feats on the ice will remain legendary as long as the NHL exists.My stories are about the man off the ice.At least 3 times in the past 30 years he has come to my City to help raise major monies for charities and minor Hockey. Each time he visited he accepted no money and came at his own expense. The lasting impact Gordie had on our City still remains today. As good a man on the ice that he was,he was a far better man off it. Truly one of a kind and he will be greatly missed.
To illustrate how loved he was . When in 2010, the Montreal Canadiens celebrated their last big party, their 100 year celebration of being in the NHL, in true Montreal fashion and tradition, they Marched out the top 100 greatest Habs players or their representative of all times and honored them.
When it came to Maurice ” The Rocket ” Richard, who is dead,instead of a family member, out walked GORDIE HOWE carrying Richards sweater.
The place went NUTS. The longest ovation of the night, over 12 minutes of cheering, for honoring Mr.Hockey,the Rocket and all the fierce battles they had on the ice.Only in Montreal. Very classy event. All the other greats on the ice came over and shook his hand. That was the effect of Gordie Howe ! Even among his enemies he was saluted as the best.
May he rest in peace !
Cheers.
Lets Go Pen’s …
Jim,
Thanks, as always, for sharing your insights and opinions. And thank you, so much, for sharing about Gordie Howe. From everything I’ve ever read about him, he sounded like a wonderful, caring, gracious man. Your stories and remembrances honor his memory and reinforce those sentiments … 🙂
That was an especially touching story about him standing in for “the Rocket” at the Canadiens’ 100th anniversary celebration. I’ll bet there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.
This isn’t nearly as neat a story. But a friend of mine, Kevin Solecki, plays the accordion. (Quite well…he was nominated for a Grammy a few years ago.) Anyways, Kevin was playing at a seniors’ center a couple of years back. I don’t remember where. After he was done performing, one of the staff members at the facility approached Kevin and mentioned that Gordie Howe had been in the audience and had really enjoyed the music.
Originally from Detroit, Kevin of course knew all about Gordie. Unfortunately, Mr. Hockey was only visiting a friend and had already left … :(
Give the Pens defense credit, take away the credit… As great as the defense has been, it was defensive lapses that was to blame. The Sharks had the Pens D scrambling those first few minutes. One shot Murray never saw because he was screened by his own defenseman. Plus if you let the other team have uncontested shots from the slot with a bunch of players in front, it is probably really hard to stop.
Murray didn’t have the mental toughness to overcome what went down at the Consol on Thursday, they haven’t invented that person yet. $10,000 front row seats, no home championships since 1960, 30,000+ just outside. He was shaky, but anyone would of been. You try your best and wish for luck.
What Murray does have is the mental toughness for is the away game on Sunday in SJ, sad about not getting the home win, but the Pens will notch #4 there.
Finally re-watched the game at home yesterday, I really think people are confusing the Sharks prevent defense with the Pens complete dominance. The big thing I noticed was Penguins seemed to be forcing plays a bit too much, where if a couple times if they exhibited a tiny bit of patience the goal was there for the taking. I think they will have the patience in San Jose.
Hey guys,
Great observations by all.
Phil, really astute take on the Pens perhaps pressing too much in Game 5. Kind of reminds me of when they’re down at the end of a game, and they’re throwing everything but the proverbial kitchen sink at the opposing net. With all of the sticks and bodies clogging the crease in those situations, it’s kind of tough to get any clear shots on goal.
Not that I’m overconfident by any stretch. But I, too, feel good about our chances in Game 6.
I hope he is ready and in fine form Sunday night
LET’S GO PEN’S!!
LETS DO IT