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Trailing 2-1 in the series the Penguins look to even up their Eastern Conference Final matchup with the Senators later this evening when the teams meet for Game 4 in Ottawa. The Pens have only lost consecutive playoff games twice in the Mike Sullivan era. Game time is set for 8:00 PM and will be broadcast on NBCSN.
As per usual protocol, when one goalie struggles the Pens fanbase immediately begins lobbying for his backup to take over. After relieving Marc-Andre Fleury on Wednesday night, Matt Murray could return to his starting role for Game 4 although Mike Sullivan says no decision has been made. [ESPN]
Our fearless leader makes the case for why Matt Murray should get the nod in goal from Game 4 over Fleury. [Pensburgh]
And the guys over at The Hockey Writers make the case for Fleury getting the start and a chance to bounce back. [The Hockey Writers]
Whoever the Pens decide to start in goal in Game 4, the Senators are expecting a big push back from the Pens on Friday night in an attempt to send the series back to Pittsburgh knotted at two games a piece. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
No practice once again for injured players Patric Hornqvist, Bryan Rust, and Justin Schultz. All three missed Game 3 and their status for tonight’s contest remains uncertain. [Trib Live]
Through three games of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Penguins have only mustered three goals past Sens’ goaltender Craig Anderson. While defense has been an issue at times Evgeni Malkin knows they to start putting the puck in the net if they hope to move on. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]
Fans will have the opportunity to select the greatest Stanley Cup winning team in NHL history as a part of the NHL’s Centennial celebration. There will be some difficult decisions for Pens fans when they go to vote, three of the four championship winning teams made the list. [Penguins]
News and notes from around the NHL...
The lead organizer of the 2018 Winter Olympics not only defended the NHL’s right to keeps it’s players from going to the Games, but also stated he is willing to meet the NHL’s demands to get the players over to South Korea. [NBC Sports]
Through three and a half rounds of action, the NHL is nearing a record for most one goal games in a single playoffs. The record of 51 one goal games set in 2007 is being closed in on rapidly. As of this writing, this year’s playoffs have featured 46 one goal games. [The Denver Post]