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The Penguins and Capitals just threw so many storylines at you
Also lots of hats.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Lace ‘em up. Time for the Morning Skate.
* * *
WELL, THAT WAS FUN
Matt Murray did it again.
The Pittsburgh Penguins now own a 2-1 series lead over the Washington Capitals thanks to the 47-save performance by their 21-year-old rookie netminder. To survive the series, the Penguins needed Murray to at least tread water against Capitals goalie Braden Holtby.
He’s done more than that. Through three games in the conference semifinals, he owns a .935 save percentage and a 2.22 goals against average. He’s fifth among playoff goalies in both overall categories. He’s turned a positional question mark in Marc-Andre Fleury’s absence into a strength for the Penguins.
And he sets up a great problem for the Penguins, who now have a great-to-elite goalie in Fleury and a young goalie showing flashes of that level right now. Fleury is locked up for the next three years; he’s still the go-to guy in net. But now the Penguins have three options. They can hold on to Murray and have an elite backup until Fleury leaves (likely). They can trade Fleury (unlikely). Or they can dangle Murray out there to teams desperate for a netminder (hello, Dallas) and rake in draft picks and prospects (like the Rangers and Cam Talbot or the Kings and Martin Jones).
It’s one of the most enviable situations in the NHL, and Pittsburgh must feel extremely fortunate right now.
SID vs. OVI UPDATE
I said I wasn’t going to do this but it’s worth mentioning now that Sidney Crosby has no points in three games against the Capitals. And his team is still winning! It’s almost like the Penguins have depth or something now.
CALDER TIME
NHL writers have nominated Shayne Gostisbehere, Connor McDavid and Artemi Panarin as rookie of the year nominees. The whole McDavid thing is an interesting argument we’ll certainly dive into over the next few weeks.
ANOTHER SUSPENSION INCOMING
The Capitals lost Brooks Orpik to a three-game suspension over the weekend, an
TONIGHT’S PLAYOFF FUN:
- The second round continues with Game 1 between the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues. Here's how to watch.
- Dallas will need to change their game plan to take down the Blues.
- If the Blues keep generating high-danger scoring chances then they have a shot.
- The other game of the night is the opening game between the Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks. Here's how you can watch that one.
- San Jose is riding high after defeating its biggest rival.
- And the Sharks seem to have a slight edge in goaltending.
NEWS AND NOTES:
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