Matt Murray Back on the Ice, To Be Evaluated

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray who was diagnosed with a concussion on Tuesday, was a participant in the Penguins morning skate, Thursday morning.

Murray did not rule out being available for backup duty Thursday night when the Penguins host Vegas, but head coach Mike Sullivan did. Murray will be re-evaluated by doctors Thursday but it does not appear Murray’s concussion was severe.

“I still have to talk to the doctors today, so I don’t know yet,” Murray said during his brief media availability. “As always it’s a day-to-day type of thing. I feel good. So I have to talk to the doctors, though.”

Murray was not forthcoming about the details of the concussion, how it happened or when. Murray declined to say whether it happened against Montreal Saturday night or in practice, Monday.

“Yeah, I can (pinpoint it),” said Murray. Was it the game or practice? “I don’t think it matters.”

Saturday, Murray said he felt good about his effort in the Penguins 5-1 loss to Montreal. In the first two games this season, a 7-6 win over Washington and the loss to Montreal, Murray has a .831 save percentage and 5.47 goals against average.

While concussions are tricky business, and good days can be followed by bad, it appears Murray dodged a serious issue and will soon be available. However, to make room for backup goalie Tristan Jarry to be recalled from the WBS Penguins, the team placed spare forward Derek Grant on waivers, Wednesday. Tonight, the Penguins will have only 12 forwards but eight defensemen available.