Penguins News Roundup 3/20/18: Matt Murray Starts!

5:45 p.m.: per Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, Matt Murray will start tonight against the New York Islanders. Murray hasn’t started since the 6-5 loss to the Florida Panthers, Feb. 24.

“He’s had a couple of strong practices. He feels really good and, obviously, our medical staff and Matt himself have a comfort level that he’s ready to play,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan declined to say Casey DeSmith has the inside track as the backup goaltender for the remainder of the season.

7:00 a.m.: It’s a Penguins game day, finally. For the fourth time this season, the Penguins had a break of four days or more but return tonight on the road against the New York Islanders (30-32-10). Matt Murray could return to the net for the Penguins.

Yesterday, the Penguins sent goaltender Tristan Jarry to the minors. Jarry was on an emergency recall because of Murray’s injury.

The Islanders have just one win in their last 10 games (1-6-3).

The Penguins (41-26-5) trail the Washington Capitals by two points (89-87) for the Metro Division lead. Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan shuffled the lines at practice, yesterday. Bryan Rust was elevated to the top line and Conor Sheary was dropped to the third.

Guentzel-Crosby-Rust

Hagelin-Malkin-Hornqvist

Sheary-Brassard-Kessel

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The defense pairings remained unchanged.

Sheary talked about keeping his confidence and being shuffled through the lineup, yesterday. The story is available on PHN’s member site. 

–The Florida Panthers charge for the playoffs continued, Monday. The Panthers shutout the Montreal Canadiens, 2-0. The Panthers remain out of the playoff seedings, but are three points behind the New Jersey Devils, with two games in hand.

–The Columbus Blue Jackets strengthened their playoff hopes by winning their eighth straight. The Blue Jackets beat the Boston Bruins in overtime, 5-4.  The Blue Jackets are tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metro, but trail by one regulation win.