Matt Murray Makes 47 Saves as Penguins top Capitals 3-2

Rookie Goalie Matt Murray is Pittsburgh Penguins #2 goalie behind Marc-Andre Fleury, but he put in a #1 performance in Game 3 of the Penguins—Washington Capitals NHL playoffs second round series. Murray has been starting as Fleury recovers from a concussion, and is more than equal to the task. Murray made a whopping 47 saves in Game 3 on May 2nd in Pittsburgh, and the Penguins won 3-2 to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

It’s been a very physical series, at times too physical. Washington’s Brooks Orpik began a three game suspension for a late hit on Pittsburgh’s Olli Maatta that knocked him out of Game 2. Orpik denied he intended to injure Maatta but admitted the his was late and accepted the suspension. In Game 3, Pittsburgh’s Kris Letang made a late hit on Washington’s Marcus Johansson. Johansson was able to return to the game, but Letang has been suspended for one game for the hit. There has been plenty of general chippiness and payback in between larger incidents in this intense series between probably the two best teams in the Eastern Conference. But we’d prefer to see the series without a bunch of players suspended. Game 4 is May 4th in Pittsburgh.