Penguins' Sullivan: We haven't lost Cup Final games because of goaltending
Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan has indirectly put to rest any thought that Marc-Andre Fleury would replace Matt Murray in net for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Following a Game 4 loss to the Nashville Predators, Sullivan was asked about a potential goalie change, and he quite understandably didn't come right out and back Murray, saying, "We just finished up a game about a minute and a half ago."
Related: Rinne, Murray trending in different directions as Cup Final progresses
The issue was raised again Tuesday, and while Sullivan again didn't officially name Murray as the starter, he also deflected any blame away from his netminder.
"We haven't lost games because of our goaltending," Sullivan said.
When further pressed, he gave a similar answer:
Reporter: So to follow up. There would be no reason for a change at this point?
Sullivan: Well, like anything, we make our lineup decisions on a game-by-game basis. The one comment I will make is that we didn't lose the game last night because of our goaltending.
Instead, Sullivan pointed to the need for a complete team effort at both ends of the ice in order to get back on a winning track in the championship series.
Barring injury, then, it certainly appears as though Murray will be in net Thursday, despite recording a .902 save percentage in four games against the Predators.
On the whole, Murray has posted a record of 5-3 with a .925 save percentage in nine postseason appearances this year since taking over from Fleury.
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