Penguins Announce Matt Murray As Game 6 Starter
TAMPA (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins face a do-or-die situation in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
After dropping the last two games, the Penguins find themselves down 3-2 in the series heading into tonight's game in Tampa.
Marc-Andre Fleury made his first start of the playoffs in Game 5 and took the loss.
So, will the Penguins go back to their veteran goaltender, or turn to rookie Matt Murray for the most important game of the season?
The answer - Matt Murray.
Pens go back to Matt Murray for tonight's game...
— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) May 24, 2016
Fleury was admittedly rusty in Game 5, which was likely a determining factor in Murray getting the nod tonight.
Head coach Mike Sullivan said this time of the year, he doesn't have the luxury of players playing through things.
Sullivan said this time of the year he doesn't have the luxury of players (fleury) playing through things
— Rich Walsh KDKA (@RichieWalsh) May 24, 2016
On Monday, Evgeni Malkin essentially guaranteed a victory tonight.
Malkin: I believe in my team. We are coming back to Pittsburgh (for Game 7) -SK
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) May 23, 2016
However, the mayor of Tampa, Bob Buckhorn, says he's confident his hometown team will pull out the win tonight, eliminating the Pens. Then, Buckhorn says Mayor Bill Peduto will have to make good on their friendly bet.
"I'm gonna send him that Lightning jersey and make him run around the block in that Lightning jersey," said Buckhorn in an interview with KDKA-TV Sports' Rich Walsh.
Watch the full interview here:
The rest of the bet includes a donation to charity and a case of beer.
The puck drops at 8 p.m. Should the Penguins prevail, Game 7 would be back in Pittsburgh on Thursday.
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