Penguins Make Goalie Decision for First Game Against Montreal, Sergei Murashov Gets Snubbed
Photo credit: Edit from Pittsburgh Hockey Now
The Penguins have made their goalie decision for tonight's preseason opener against Montreal, choosing to snub Sergei Murashov for Joel Blomqvist instead.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will begin their preseason Monday night in Montreal behind a goaltending tandem of Joel Blomqvist and Sergei Murashov.
The strategy was confirmed by head coach Dan Muse following the team's skate on Friday morning in Cranberry.
Sergei Murashov Will Serve as the Backup During Tonight's Game
Joel Blomqvist, 23, will get the first start before yielding responsibilities to Sergei Murashov.
Last season, Blomqvist made 15 appearances in the NHL, registering a 4-9-1 record along with a 3.81 goals-against average with an .885 save percentage.
Murashov, 22, comes off a standout stint with AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 16 games, he was 12-3-0 with a 2.64 goals-against average, .913 save percentage, and one shutout.
Monday's game will offer him a chance to build on that experience against NHL-level competition.
The Penguins did not conduct line rushes during the morning skate, keeping their lineup plans under wraps past the crease.
The lineup they are scheduled to send to Montreal:
Forwards - Tristan Broz, Atley Calvert, Robby Fabbri, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Avery Hayes, Danton Heinen, Boko Imama, Ben Kindel, Joona Koppanen, Anthony Mantha, Tommy Novak, Sam Poulin, Valtteri Puustinen
Defensemen - Harrison Brunicke, Connor Clifton, Matt Dumba, Ryan Graves, Finn Harding, Owen Pickering, Ryan Shea
Goaltenders - Blomqvist, Murashov
Forwards - Tristan Broz, Atley Calvert, Robby Fabbri, Rafael Harvey-Pinard, Avery Hayes, Danton Heinen, Boko Imama, Ben Kindel, Joona Koppanen, Anthony Mantha, Tommy Novak, Sam Poulin, Valtteri Puustinen
Defensemen - Harrison Brunicke, Connor Clifton, Matt Dumba, Ryan Graves, Finn Harding, Owen Pickering, Ryan Shea
Goaltenders - Blomqvist, Murashov
For Montreal, Samuel Montembeault gets the start in goal. He will serve along with prospect Jacob Fowler, an ex-Youngstown Phantoms goalie with the USHL.
The Canadiens announced their lineup via their website:
Forwards - Josh Anderson, Owen Beck, Alex Belzile, Lucas Condotta, Jared Davidson, Ivan Demidov, Sean Farrell, Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, Oliver Kapanen, Patrik Laine, Filip Mesar
Defensemen - Nate Clurman, Marc Del Gaizo, Noah Dobson, Adam Engstrom, Mike Matheson, Jayden Struble
Goaltenders - Jacob Fowler, Samuel Montembeault
Forwards - Josh Anderson, Owen Beck, Alex Belzile, Lucas Condotta, Jared Davidson, Ivan Demidov, Sean Farrell, Jake Evans, Brendan Gallagher, Oliver Kapanen, Patrik Laine, Filip Mesar
Defensemen - Nate Clurman, Marc Del Gaizo, Noah Dobson, Adam Engstrom, Mike Matheson, Jayden Struble
Goaltenders - Jacob Fowler, Samuel Montembeault
Preseason games are more about scouting than results, and Tuesday night's game will provide the Penguins with an early look at two of their promising young goalies as training camp begins to gain steam.
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