Pittsburgh Penguins: Marc-Andre Fleury Activated From Injured Reserve; Matt Murray Sent Back To AHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that Marc-Andre Fleury has been activated from injured reserve and will start against the New York Islanders tonight. Matt Murray was returned to the Penguins’ AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have activated Marc-Andre Fleury and intend to start him in net tonight against the Islanders. His return leaves the team laden with three goaltenders, which leaves Matt Murray the odd man out and he will return to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton to get more ice time.
“He’s a big part of the team. He’s an elite goaltender,” Sullivan said. “…Marc obviously is the number one guy. His body of work here speaks for itself how good he is. I know his teammates, how much they respect him, how much they like him and they play hard for him.”
When the Pittsburgh Penguins lost Fleury to a concussion, it felt like the exclamation point on a season that has been anything but how it was drawn up. The only potential saving grace for Pens fans was that they might finally get to see AHL wunderkind Matt Murray play some NHL minutes.
More from Pens Labyrinth
- Welcome To The Burgh: Lars Eller
- Penguins Waddle Toward The Season
- Farewell Carl Hagelin
- Penguins Line-up Breakdown vs Stanley Cup Champs Vegas
- Ryan Graves Solid Signing For The Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins went just 3-4-1 with Fleury on the shelf, but Matt Murray was every bit the future star he was advertised as.
“I told Matt when I was coaching him in (WBS) that I think he’s an NHL-caliber goalie,” Sullivan said. “We feel that strongly that he’s that good. He’s a young guy and he needs to continue to play to track that way.”
He played in four games, saved 105 of 112 shots faced, and heads back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton with a lofty .938 save percentage in the NHL.
Not too shabby at all.
With Fleury and Kris Letang both in the lineup again, the Penguins have all of their stars on hand for what is shaping up to be a crucial few weeks for the club.
Next: Penguins Schedule Doesn't Get Any Easier
The team is six points back of third place in the Metropolitan Division, as well as three points behind the New Jersey Devils for the final wild card slot in the Eastern Conference.
On top of tonight’s matchup against the Islanders, the Pens are set to face the Blackhawks in a home-and-home, and the Canadiens and Hurricanes on the road in their next five.
The only matchup that the Pittsburgh Penguins have the points advantage in is the Carolina Hurricanes, so they will need to punch upwards going forward over the next ten days.
They’ve now got their MVP back in the fold. If things are gonna turn and the Pittsburgh Penguins are going to go on a run, now is the time.