The Pittsburgh Penguins face a goaltending dilemma ahead of Friday's must-win game versus the Montreal Canadiens.
Pittsbrugh dropped Wednesday's pivotal Game 3 to Montreal 4-3, and Penguins goaltender Matt Murray received criticism from fans and observers for allowing four goals on 31 shots and a winner deemed by many to be soft.
What an angle!
— #StanleyCup Qualifiers on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) August 6, 2020
Habs reclaim the lead. Game 3 is getting interesting #ShotoftheNight presented by @JagermeisterUSA pic.twitter.com/jIStluiFEx
On Thursday, The Athletic's Rob Rossi told Adam Crowley of ESPN Pittsburgh that Pens coach Mike Sullivan is "leaning" toward replacing Murray with Tristan Jarry for Friday afternoon's elimination contest.
"@Real_RobRossi: I've heard they're leaning towards Jarry."
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) August 6, 2020
Murray started all three qualifier games in Toronto, but Jarry entered the bubble site with a better regular-season goals against average (2.43 to 2.87) and higher save percentage (.921 to .899) for the 2019-20 campaign that was halted on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If Pittsburgh defeats Montreal on Friday, the clubs will meet on Saturday for the series finale.
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