PITTSBURGH – It only seems fitting in this spring of the crease swap that the Pittsburgh Penguins are going back to Marc-Andre Fleury.
On Sunday night he’ll become the seventh different goalie to start a game in these conference finals alone, which is an astounding number given that only four teams remain.
The decision came after some serious deliberation from Mike Sullivan and his coaching staff. Matt Murray, a 21-year-old rookie, has carried them within two wins of the Stanley Cup Final but was pulled from a 4-3 loss on Friday night.
Fleury has been the No. 1 man here for more than a decade and only lost his spot after suffering a second concussion on March 31.
“It’s an important decision for our hockey team,” said Sullivan. “We’re trying to make the best decisions that we can that we think give our team the best chance to win and that’s the direction that we chose to take for this game.”
With the Eastern Conference Final tied 2-2 with Tampa, the stakes are significant.
The only game action Fleury has seen since his concussion was a seven-save period in relief of Murray during Game 4. But he’s an extremely popular figure in the Penguins dressing room, has a Stanley Cup on his resume and has been logging long hours on the practice ice since being cleared to return.
“I think he’s a great teammate,” said captain Sidney Crosby. “He comes to the rink with a smile on his face every day, he’s got a great attitude. Works hard every day he’s out there regardless of the situation. Those are the type of guys you love to have on your team.”
It was a rather dramatic morning at Consol Energy Center, with Sullivan also announcing that defenceman Trevor Daley would be lost for the season with a broken left ankle. He suffered the injury after taking a hit from Ryan Callahan in Game 4.
That’s a significant blow to the blue line, where Daley was a steadying presence after being acquired in a December trade with Chicago.
“He’s a tough guy to replace,” said Sullivan.
Olli Maatta is expected to get the call after being scratched for the last three games. The Finn took line rushes with Kris Letang at the morning skate.
It also looked like winger Beau Bennett would return for his first game since April 5, possibly replacing Conor Sheary. Bennett missed half the year with a right shoulder injury.
The Lightning aren’t likely to make any changes – with both centre Steven Stamkos (blood clot) and goalie Ben Bishop (lower body) not yet ready to return.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will have its depth tested while turning the cage back over to Fleury.
“I told these guys at the start of the playoffs that we’re going to need everybody,” said Sullivan. “If we’re going to get to our ultimate goal, we’re going to need everybody, both in and out of the lineup, in order to accomplish this.
“So everybody’s got to work every day to get their games at the highest level they can possibly keep it so that, when they’re tapped on the shoulder, they’re ready to help this team win.”
