Learning that Marc-Andre Fleury did not join the Pittsburgh Penguins (44-25-8) in their trip to face the New York Islanders (42-25-9), Matt Murray was thrown in between the pipes and dazzled with his performance.
Murray, along with other contributors, helped the Penguins clinch their 10th straight playoff spot, which could become the league’s longest streak if the Detroit Red Wings should fail to qualify this season. This afternoon, the offense was led by Matt Cullen and Oskar Sundqvist, who scored his first NHL goal, the 5-0 win over the Islanders.
Fleury was not in New York today after being reported that the 31-year-old suffered from a concussion. The team would keep Fleury in Pittsburgh on a side of precaution. It is currently unknown how long this concussion will keep Fleury out.
Determined Penguins
Pittsburgh has not missed a beat lately and are going into the playoffs red hot. With today’s win, that makes the team 9-1-0 in its last 10. Offense has come from all different parts of the ice.
“The big thing for us is we’ve had weapons come from different lines,” Eric Fehr said to the press following yesterday’s practice.
On any given night, a different player has come to the forefront and made a major impact in the game. Today there were two; Cullen and Sundqvist.
The Penguins have put it all together under coach Mike Sullivan and they are not taking their foot off the accelerator any time soon. Their determination to keep pressing the opposition and not fall victim to comeback losses has given this team a scary look.
Kessel has five goals and five assists in his last five games. Goal replay: https://t.co/94tDpetgZk pic.twitter.com/mgezDDk1Uu
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 2, 2016
No-nonsense Defense
What has really turned the Penguins around this season is their ability to play without the puck. In today’s game, the defense, along with the play of Murray, dominated the Islanders. Allowing a total of 24 shots on goal, the defense did a stand-up job of easing the pressure around the net.
Even if the defense was not on their game today, Murray has shown why having two talented goaltenders is a special thing in the NHL. The young 21-year-old netminder notched his sixth win of the season and completed his first shootout in his NHL career.
The penalty-kill also did a great job in killing all five of New York’s powerplays. Pittsburgh also found their groove with a man advantage going two for three this afternoon.
Final Words
The Pittsburgh Penguins are exceeding expectations and it is fun to watch. Their competiveness and ability to dominate game in and game out has spoiled fans like days of the past.
The Penguins have risen from a threat in the playoffs to a team that no one wants to play. What coach Sullivan has done to this team is nothing short of a miracle. Pittsburgh’s ability to navigate through their opponents and generate high-scoring chances is what makes this team so very special this season.
What’s Next
The Pittsburgh Penguins will play tomorrow at hosme against the Philadelphia Flyers at 5 p.m. following the Pirates Opening Day game against the St. Louis Cardinal.
