Yeah, yeah, I know what you're gonna say: Don't buy into the hype, Todd, it was just one preseason game. Still, it wasn't like the Montreal Canadiens brought their B-squad to play the Pittsburgh Penguins in what was ultimately a 2-1 loss for the Pens.
Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov looked good, and when it comes to the Penguins crease, you need to take wins any way you can. Blomqvist stepped in and delivered, saving all 11 shots on goal. Then Murashov came in and blocked 19 outta 20, good for a 0.950 save percentage.
That's what we wanted to see from what was a mid-tier squad coming in from Quebec, and one that boasted several players who helped the Habs return to the playoffs last April. Games like this, despite the narrow loss, give these goaltenders something to build on, and they're players who've been rather successful so far in their pro careers.
Pittsburgh Penguins netminders keep looking good
Last season, we saw Murashov suit up for the Wheeling Nailers, where he saw time in 26 games, recorded a 0.922 save percentage, and snagged a 2.40 GAA. He also saw the ice in 16 games for Wilkes-Barre Scranton, and he did a fine job with a 0.913 save percentage and 2.64 GAA.
Blomqvist saw time in the NHL, where he predictably struggled, logging a 3.81 GAA and a paltry 0.885 save percentage. That said, he was playing behind a bad hockey team and it was his first taste of NHL action.
The Uusikaarlepyy, Suomi native looked better in the AHL, where he landed a shutout, a 2.84 GAA, and a 0.914 save percentage. It's only a matter of time before he's putting up decent numbers like those in the NHL, and possibly pushing incumbent starter Tristan Jarry out of a job.
Future of the Penguins crease?
There's hardly a single Penguins fan out there who'd be opposed to watching Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov ultimately man the net in the Steel City. We saw something encouraging tonight, even if the game meant little in the grand scope.
Give these two more time to season their respective games, and the Penguins could have a young duo in the net within the next couple of years, if that. And in today's game, having a 1A and a 1B is the desired outcome, so I'd be surprised if they didn't make efforts to keep both goaltenders if they keep putting up sound play in the crease.