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Dubas Said Sergei Murashov Will Start; Gives Blomqvist Update
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- Dubas Said Sergei Murashov Will Start; Gives Blomqvist Update
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Sergei Murashov
Perhaps we should start paying closer attention to the Pittsburgh Penguins GM show, which is aired every couple of weeks.
On the latest show, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said Sergei Murashov will start one of the games this weekend. Since Arturs Silovs started Saturday, by process of elimination, that leaves Sunday when the Penguins host the LA Kings at 2 p.m.
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This week's show had an advance nugget that not even coach Dan Muse would offer when pressed. Dubas addressed his new goalie tandem and the excitement surrounding Murashov, and perhaps let the cat out of the bag a couple of days early.
The Penguins are dealing with Tristan Jarry's lower-body injury. Jarry is out for three weeks, and the team recalled Murashov on Tuesday evening, the same day that Murashov was named AHL goalie of the month.
"It was as easy a decision as you'll have to make in this role," Dubas described the call-up.
But the lingering question was, when will Murashov make his NHL debut? By process of elimination, it will be Sunday, as in Dubas's praise for Murashov; he also removed the possibility of Arturs Silovs starting back-to-back games.
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"(Murashov) had a great camp and exhibition season … we felt it was best to own the net (in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton) and play there, and just continue to be himself," Dubas said. "If you look at the history of guys who have had success, they've been able to string together long stretches of time down there.
"Both Arty (Silovs) and Tristan (Jarry) have played well up here, but this is what happens … to Sergei's credit, he goes down (to WBS), and there was no sulking. No complaining. It was very clear to him why we were making the decision we were making. He goes down and has an excellent month, puts himself in a position to come in with a lot of confidence and in a great spot …
Joel Blomqvist
Penguins prospect goalie Joel Blomqvist seems lost in the shuffle. He played 15 NHL games last season over two stints. The first segment went well, but the second stint later in the season sank his numbers and earned him a demotion back to the AHL. Overall, he posted a mere .885 save percentage in his first NHL action.
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This season, he was injured early in training camp and has not played since.
"He should be starting to work his way back. The projected return is next weekend, which will come in Wilkes," said Dubas. "We'll get fortunate there, because we have to bring a third goalie to Sweden, and that will likely fall to Filip Larsson .
"(Blomqvist) is trending in the right direction. He should return to game action in the next couple of weeks."
Two weeks ago, Dubas used the team-hosted show to speak about not "giving in" to prospect defenseman Emil Pieniniemi, whom the team suspended indefinitely. Pieniniemi was unhappy that he was assigned to Wheeling of the ECHL and went home to Finland.
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The post Dubas Said Sergei Murashov Will Start; Gives Blomqvist Update appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now .
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