The Penguins are in a bit of a pickle. Not one, but both of their goaltenders have had head injury problems within the last month. With their No. 1 starter Marc-Andre Fleury having practiced twice this week leading up to their game against the Rangers, many thought the Penguins to be safe.
Injuries force Penguins’ 3rd-string goaltender into Stanley Cup playoff spotlight
Well, this might be a problem.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
That was, until the Penguins came out with their starting lineups before Game 1 and third backup Jeff Zatkoff was leading the team out onto the ice.
Zatkoff and Jarry are the goaltenders for Pittsburgh tonight.Starting Matt Murray in Philadelphia on Saturday looks like a big mistake now.
— John Shannon (@JSportsnet) April 13, 2016
Second backup Matt Murray sustained a head injury in the Penguins' final game of the year against the Flyers. Zatkoff came in to replace Murray, but hasn't started a game since Feb. 20. Neither Zatkoff nor the Penguins' fourth backup Tristan Jarry has playoff experience.
Pittsburgh is the hottest team in the league, but the health of their netminders was a question heading into the playoffs. The underdog Rangers will no doubt attempt to jump on this opportunity to take it to the Penguins without the favorite’s top two netminders.
See More:
