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Pittsburgh Penguins-NYR: Key Questions and Predictions

By Fraser Stephenson

Mar 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Eric Staal (12) shoots and scores a goal past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Eric Staal (12) shoots and scores a goal past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Eric Staal (12) shoots and scores a goal past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Eric Staal (12) shoots and scores a goal past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Jeff Zatkoff be forced into starting duty, and if so, are the Pens doomed?

I feel like the overwhelming majority of Penguins fans believe that Jeff Zatkoff is the second coming of the dismal 2010-13 Playoff-Fleury. Of course, the guy who quite literally was 2010-13 Playoff-Fleury is not only still on the team but also the guy they are desperately praying to the high heavens is back in time for game 1.

I’d argue that Zatkoff is far from that guy, and I’m actually quite confident that he could lead the team to a series win in round 1 if Marc-Andre Fleury and/or Matt Murray aren’t able to return. For the season (small sample size alert), he posted a .917 save percentage – and that was back when the team was fiery pile of garbage. His career save percentage, while also kind of small sample, is at .915.

Guess what league average was this year? .915.

The guy has shown to this point he is more than capable of being an average goaltender, and for a team that is capable of controlling games the way that these Penguins are that really should be all that they need. Is he liable to the odd implosion? Sure, but if I know anything from watching Fleury’s career and the first few games of Murray’s they are most definitely also vulnerable to allowing softies every now and again.

Fleury hasn’t been cleared for game 1 yet, with coach Mike Sullivan making it a gametime decision. If he isn’t, well… pretend like you were confident all along when Zatkoff stops 24/26 in an average (and adequate) performance.

Next: The Malkin Question

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