Sullivan: Marc-Andre Fleury is "making significant progress"

Trying to find much NHL injury news and updates this time of year is almost impossible. Luckily today, Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan gave an update before today's game against Washington about the status of goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

"He’s making significant progress so we’re certainly encouraged by that," Sullivan said. "He’s an important part of this team. He’s won a lot of games for us this year. He’s an elite goalie. He’s a very good goalie. The more guys that we can get healthy and get back into our lineup, we think it makes us a more competitive team."

Fleury has missed the past 3 games after not feeling well after his win March 31st over Nashville. 21-year old rookie Matt Murray (8-2-1, 1.98 GAA, .930 save % on the season) has played - and won- all 3 games in Fleury's absence and Murray is expected to start again tonight against the Caps.

The Penguins 2016 regular season ends Saturday after a game in Philadelphia. Barring something crazy, it doesn't seem likely to see Fleury play then. It isn't known when Pittsburgh's first playoff game will be yet, but it's likely to be either Wednesday April 13th or Thursday April 14th.

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Sullivan also officially ruled out Evgeni Malkin, Olli Maatta and Bryan Rust for the rest of the regular season, which isn't unexpected, but nice to be known. It remains to be seen the status of these players for the beginning of the playoffs, the only with a timeline given was Malkin, who was said to be out until at least around April 23rd according to the initial announced prognosis.