Is there a goalie controversy brewing in the Eastern Conference finals?
The Pittsburgh Penguins nearly completed an epic third-period comeback, scoring three goals in the final frame but ultimately losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in Game 4 to bring the series to a 2-2 draw.
Rookie goaltender Matt Murray has backboned the Pens’ efforts while starter Marc-Andre Fleury dealt with an injury, and Pittsburgh has chosen to ride the hot hand to within two games of the Stanley Cup Final. But after allowing four goals in two periods to Tampa, Murray was benched in favor of Fleury for the final period.
Possibly by coincidence, Pittsburgh found a bit of life during that same period. Fleury stopped all seven shots he saw, and the Pens cut the deficit to just one after goals by Phil Kessel, Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz.
Penguins coach Mike Sullivan was non-committal on a starting goalie for Game 5.
Neither Murray nor Fleury pushed to be the guy, either, though Murray seemed to feel the poor performance was a bit of a fluke.
Game 5 shifts back to Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
