Pittsburgh Penguins: Casey DeSmith is good news for Matt Murray

The emergence of Pittsburgh Penguins backup goalie Casey DeSmith should help Matt Murray find his game.

Last season, Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray had a very rough year. A variety of factors were at play, but the two obvious ones were injuries and the loss of his father. Murray has yet to find his game, which the Penguins should be concerned about.

However, potentially the best scenario to develop this season for the Penguins so far has been strong play of goaltender Casey DeSmith. He’s been great for the Pens and has allowed Murray to get some much-needed rest.

Internal Threat

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With Murray struggling to shake off a substandard start 4-4-1 and a goals-against average of 3.87, DeSmith is 3-1-2 with a goals-against average of 1.89 and currently leads the league in shutouts with two.

DeSmith has been a bright spot on a Penguins roster that has been called to task by management and has lacked the superstar luster they have been known to exhibit during the Mike Sullivan era.

Perhaps the most important factor in assisting Murray in regaining his championship form is a dose of healthy competition. A look at the numbers suggests he functions best in a two-starter system.

Strong Start

As a rookie in 2015-16, Murray appeared in 13 regular season contests in a backup role to perennial starter Marc-Andre Fleury. His record was 9-2-1 with a goals against average of 2.40. His play during the Stanley Cup Playoffs broke records and was instrumental in helping the Penguins capture their fourth Stanley Cup Title.

In 2016-17, Murray played in 49 games, 36 more than the previous season. His record stood at 32-10-4 with a goals-against average of 2.41. That season he won 65 percent of the games he played, a slight decrease from the 69 percent of the games he won in 2015-16. The Penguins became back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions with Murray and Fleury both contributing to the team’s success.

First Season Frustration

The 2017-18 season marked Murray’s first full season as the Penguins number one goaltender. With Fleury exiled to Las Vegas and an ominous cloud hanging over the backup position in Pittsburgh, he lost some of the confidence that he had exuded in the previous seasons.

Murray appeared in the same number of games he played during the 2016-17 campaign (49) but saw his winning percentage drop to 55 percent and his goals-against average increase to 2.92. A few shaky starts in the postseason and an elimination by the Washington Capitals compiled more questions around Murray’s condition both physically and mentally.

Poised To Rebound

Whether from injuries or poor starts, Murray has proved throughout his short career that he has the ability to weather adversity and maintain his high level of competition.

It appears DeSmith is poised to challenge for the number one spot, which will allow Murray some breathing room to regain his composure.

Murray’s most competitive seasons have been when he has a strong partner behind him. Facing internal pressure should give Murray the extra push he needs to re-establish himself and the mental freedom of knowing he isn’t the Penguins only option in goal.

Running with two strong options in goal gives general manager Jim Rutherford some flexibility, should he need to address other needs on the roster.