Any chance Murray takes over for the rest of the playoffs?

[wgknestrick]

It is Murray's net unless he falters. He is still the goalie who gives you the best chance to win.

 

[TheNewEra]

i hope not

 

[UnderratedBrooks44]

Why? He's been amazing for them all playoffs. He's getting a Conn Smyth talk. He should start every game unless he puts up two stinkers in a row. Jeezus, the guy pitched a shutout in a Game 7 but lets yank him at the very first sign of adversity.

Because as far as the Pens boards is concerned Fleury literally cannot have a bad game, even if the rest of the team is standing around watching their opponents light them up like last night. Just the way it is. MAF has somewhat made his own bed in this regard (and Murray being amazing last year obviously), but if anything goes wrong and he happens to be in net you better believe he's taking a significant part of the blame, if not all of it.

 

[Frank Drebin]

MAF was weaker in game 6 vs the Caps and came back and played lights out in game 7. I honestly think they should stay with him, but not sure if its going to matter. Someone type out Pittsburghs defense from last night.

 

[aemoreira1981]

I'd stick with Fleury unless he lets in more than 1 bad goal in Game 4. Going to Matt Murray right now would be a panic move.

 

[PensFreak]

Fleury has been too hot. I don't think he was bad last game either. Those first two were awful bounces, the third was a tap in, and the fourth a guy chipped it in deep, both our defensemen chased him, and Fleury was so shocked that they both got beat that he didn't get over to the post in time.

 

[Butch 19]

Wasn't even Fleurys fault that the Pens lost imo.

First two goals were lucky bounces. 2nd goal more so than the first imo.

3rd goal could be considered a nice bounce too, but it was also a nice pass.

The players in front of Fleury did absolutely nothing to try to prevent the 4th goal from happening.

Several SCFs ago "puck luck" would have been mentioned a few times by now.

MAF did not have a weak game. I'd still start him

 

[FlyerFaithful17]

The Pens are going with Murray..

 

[Damisoph]

 

[MarAlain MongYeo]

Id probably go with MAF just for the fact that he'll probably rebound like he did in the Caps series and they basically have to trade him in the off season and benching him when you're trying to win the cup may hurt his trade value.

 

[nmbr_24]

I would go with Murray. If he falters then they switch up but Murray is the guy who came through for them last season and I think they still consider him the #1 guy. So it makes sense to play your #1 guy when you are sure he is healthy.

 

[TNT87]

I don't have a problem going with Murray at all. MAF is shaky on the road even though he's the reason the Pens have made it this far.

 

[IranCondraAffair]

Pens were getting high level goalie play from MAF. I don't think it can get any harder for Ottawa, can it?

 

[GordieHowsUrBreath]

i don't know who i would start, fleury has been their mvp but also has a history of being shaky

murray is more consistent, but he might need to play as well as fleury has been throughout most of the playoffs to advance

the pens need to score more goals no matter who their goalie is, one goal per game won't get it done

 

[bert]

Short leash but id probably do the same thing if im Sullivan. Murray better play well tonight because if he gets lit up its real hard to go back to MAF.

 

[StrangeVision]

I kind of feel bad for Fleury, but man, with his history it's really tough to give him the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Geki]

Geez, that really doesn't sit well at all. Puts more pressure on Murray and doesn't show any confidence in MAF, it's a lose/lose. Fleury has one bad game, and I would argue he wasn't even close to being the issue in that game, and you sit him? After he powered you through 2+ rounds of the best goaltending the Pens have had all year?

Feels dirty..

 

[ZeroPucksGiven]

Geez, that really doesn't sit well at all. Puts more pressure on Murray and doesn't show any confidence in MAF, it's a lose/lose. Fleury has one bad game, and I would argue he wasn't even close to being the issue in that game, and you sit him? After he powered you through 2+ rounds of the best goaltending the Pens have had all year?

Feels dirty..

Are we worried about feelings or winning?

This is why I like Sully- he tends to do things that optimize his winning games and puts feelings aside. How many coaches can you say do that? You hear all the time the coach puts his "old vet" in at the expense of a younger/dynamic player

 

[Edmonton East]

Dumb.

Start Fleury. He plays well, he stays in. He flounders, and Murray is the starter going forward no question (or controversy).

Now what happens if Murray looks bad next game? Go back to Fleury? Lol good luck with that carousel.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

Dumb.

Start Fleury. He plays well, he stays in. He flounders, and Murray is the starter going forward no question (or controversy).

Now what happens if Murray looks bad next game? Go back to Fleury? Lol good luck with that carousel.

They're professionals, not peewees. A rest for Fleury might actually be a good thing; he's been carrying this team since the start of the playoffs.

 

[Eternal Leaf]

Are we worried about feelings or winning?

This is why I like Sully- he tends to do things that optimize his winning games and puts feelings aside. How many coaches can you say do that? You hear all the time the coach puts his "old vet" in at the expense of a younger/dynamic player

I disagree.

Fleury has been putting on a Conn Smythe level performance all playoffs. One bad game is too short of a leash.

An argument can be made that Sullivan isn't optimizing the team's chances.

Risky but Murray is good enough to ensure it won't be an issue.

 

[Mike Lange Version 2]

I like the decision, start MM but keep him on a short leash. If he plays well, lets in 2 or less, and we win, he's earned the nod for the future. MAF is too shaky and we can't afford another meltdown and to go down 3-1. MM gets lit up and we lose? We're back where we started and MAF will start again. Something had to change, even though we all know it's more on the offense. The offense plays differently in front of MM and I hope that factored into the decision/will get results.

 

[johan f]

This move by Sullivan has nothing to do with the play by Fleury. It is all about getting the team going from a new sheet.

 

[ncm7772]

I'm as much of a Murray fan as anyone, but I'd stick with Fleury. However, I see where Sullivan is coming from. Also, I think this move is as much about trying to get the rest of the team going, than it is about Murray v. Fleury.

The funny thing though, as expected, the Fleury fan crew are LOSING THEIR MINDS right now.

 

[trentmccleary]

They're professionals, not peewees. A rest for Fleury might actually be a good thing; he's been carrying this team since the start of the playoffs.

One is a kid and the other has a history of confidence issues. This could wind up being a questionable decision if it throws either of them off.