Murray allowed two goals on 22 shots in the Penguins win in Washington on Wednesday. Murray was given Thursday night off, so he’ll return to the crease tonight vs. the Panthers. Murray struggled in his first two starts of the season, but has won his last two starts while stopped 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%).
Eberle was banged up in the Islanders practice on Thursday and missed Friday’s session as a result. After the skate, Eberle told reporters that he should be OK for the weekend games but monitor his status during today’s morning skate to be sure.
Grubauer allowed four goals on 40 shots in the Capitals’ overtime loss in Tampa Bay on Monday. Grubauer was a busy man in his season debut and could be the same again tonight as he faces a Flyers team that is tied for 13th in shots on goal per game (33.3) so far this season. Grubauer is one of the best spot-start options in the NHL and that doesn’t change tonight.
Murray stopped all 26 shots that he faced in the Penguins’ shutout win over the Predators on Saturday. After two terrible outings to start the year, Murray got back on the right track over the weekend. In his young career, Murray has gone 2-2-0 with a 4.43 GAA and .862 SV% in four career starts vs. Washington.
Grubauer has been one of the most reliable backups in the NHL over the years and comes into 2017-18 having gone 13-6-2 with a 2.04 GAA, .926 SV% and three shutouts last season. Grubauer’s first start will come against a Tampa Bay team that is playing for the third time in four days and had two totally different results in their first two contests.
Murray gave up give goals on 34 shots in the Penguins’ opening night loss to St. Louis. The following night he replaced Antti Niemi in Chicago and proceeded to allow six goals on 31 shots in a 10-1 loss. It has been dreadful start to the season for the young netminder, who has now allowed 11 goals on the first 65 shots (.831 SV%) that he has faced.
Murray gave up give goals on 34 shots in the Penguins’ opening night loss to St. Louis. The following night he replaced Antti Niemi in Chicago and proceeded to allow six goals on 31 shots in a 10-1 loss. It has been dreadful start to the season for the young netminder, who has now allowed 11 goals on the first 65 shots (.831 SV%) that he has faced.
Murray has two Stanley Cups in two seasons, not a bad start to a career. With Marc-Andre Fleury now in Vegas, the Penguins’ crease belongs to Murray. He has just 60 career regular season starts, but could see close to that number in his third season. Murray has a career 2.32 GAA and .925 SV%, making him a strong No.1 fantasy option and his team makes him a candidate for the NHL-lead in wins.
Eberle scored 20 goals with 31 assists (51 points) in 82 games with the Oilers last season. The 27-year-old winger struggled in the playoffs, collected just two assists in 13 games before the Oilers were bounced. Eberle has averaged 24 goals and 32 assists (56 points) over that last four seasons and could see ample playing time with John Tavares in 2018.
Kempny is coming off of his first NHL season after spending six years in the Czech league and one year in the KHL. Kempny had eight points (2G / 6A) in 50 games, but only appeared in seven games after the Blackhawks’ acquired Johnny Oduya at the trade deadline.
Murray comes into the postseason on a four-game winning streak, having posted a 2.45 GAA and .931 SV% down the stretch. Murray was 15-6 with a 2.08 GAA, .923 SV% and one shutout en route to winning the Stanley Cup in last year’s postseason. The 22-year-old has gone 2-1-1 with a 3.16 GAA and .909 SV% vs. the Blue Jackets this season.
