Penguins Locker Room: Pens, Murray Relieved At Quick Recovery

Less than a week ago, there was what seemed to be a lot of hand-wringing among Pittsburgh Penguins fans. Matt Murray had another concussion, the third of his NHL career and second this calendar year.

Monday, the goaltender offered reassurance that this one was in the rear-view mirror.

“It’s hard to know with injuries like that, but it’s no fun to have those injuries, either, so I was happy with how quickly it resolved,” Murray said.

He served as Casey DeSmith’s backup Saturday at Montreal. It’s unclear whether he will start Tuesday at home against Vancouver, but it seems likely. Murray said he is fully recovered and has the blessing of the team’s medical staff to play.

“I wouldn’t be backing up if I wasn’t ready to play,” he said. “I was cleared before the last game.”

Anything less than a week lost to a concussion would fall into the quick recovery category. Symptoms for some can linger.

“It’s hard to know with injuries like that, but it’s no fun to have those injuries, either, so I was happy with how quickly it resolved,” Murray said.

Murray, who has won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins, is 1-1 with a 5.47 goals-against average and a .831 save percentage. Those are far off his career numbers. Now he is clear to work on them.

“We are excited that he is healthy,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “It’s great for our team. It’s great for Matt. It’s certainly encouraging that it didn’t linger or last for a significant amount of time. The nature of these injuries is every one of them is unique.”