I'd be surprised if either of you could name a single game this season where the Pens clearly outplayed their opponent and lost via bad Murray goaltending?
that is not on point though to whether Murray is playing well below expectations thus far this season. The team and the goalie are wrapped up together. The goalie lets in one he shouldn't and the team gets a bit more spastic, and vice versa. It was the main reason most of us wanted Murray over Fleury because he was steady in net and letting the puck come to him. Murray's glove hand stinks. That first goal was a little more difficult then it looked because of it grazing a skate, but at that distance with that sight line I would like my goalie to make that save more times then not. With murray that shot goes in more times then not right now. The second goal larkin just walked him, sure that was a breakaway, AND a great chance. but murray made it really easy he planted had no backward momentum and didn't move with the puck at all. The 3rd goal was similar he went down early and made it easy. 4th goal he gave up a bad rebound off his chest, sure wrapped up in that goal is the fact that his defense didn't pick anyone up and the rebound was scooped up and the player was allowed to stride over and put it in. But look at a similar chance on Howard by Hornqvist earlier, rebound goes off Howard before the puck is even on the ice again Howard is adjusting his position to be square to the puck, and his eyes are locked on it. That 4th goal, murray couldn't even find the puck until late. Is that all his fault NO. But I am saying that this is not a case of Murray controlling rebounds, not leaking goals, being focused and just not able to get some of these because they are really bad chances against. Murray would typically stop at least 2 of those that went in against Detroit, at least. If it's a 1 goal game in the third we've seen this team come back. But the whole team is garabage right now, and when they are down 4-1 in the 3rd they are done like dinner. (except when we troll the jackets)
By no means was the detroit game all his fault. But Murray can control what happens in that blue paint (and nothing else). Howard clearly outplayed Murray in this game by a wide margin. A good example, the 4th goal against. Murray gives up that rebound right off his chest, and by the time he tracks where the puck went he's dead to rights. Of course the team not picking up anyone in front of him is a huge part. But then look at the shot Hornqvist had from a similar spot. He hits Howard, before the puck even hits the ice after hitting Howard he is already readjusting his position, his eyes are locked on the puck. I'm not seeing that from Murray consistently. Even the coach after this game said that it wasn't Murray's best game. And sully is one of Murray's biggest advocates. Heck early on look how hagelin (i know it's hagelin) got that great chance and howard stoned him, if you look closely you'll see the pass came out and Howard readjusted and was in perfect position on Hagelin. I would like to see that from Murray a bit more often. Not those goals where he reacts early is immobile and makes it to easy.
Still goal tending is maybe 1/3 of our problem. But *I* find it a little troubling (only a little right now) that Murray's biggest strength, his ability to be calm and let the play come to him and control what he can, is not a strength right now. He's gotta get out of his head, he's below 90% save percentage his last 18 starts, he doesn't get a pass in my book. Only way we make the playoffs is if Crosby and Letang play a helluva lot better, but Murray has to get his act together too.
