Penguins go back to Marc-Andre Fleury for Game 2; Matt Murray still out

The Pittsburgh Penguins will go back to Marc-Andre Fleury for Game 2 of their first-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday night.

Head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters after Thursday’s skate that it’ll be status quo with Fleury starting and Tristan Jarry backing up. Matt Murray remains out with a lower-body injury.

[Follow Puck Daddy on social media: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tumblr]

Sullivan added that there’s a timetable for Murray’s recovery, just not a public one. The netminder appeared to injure something during warmups prior to Game 1. He was set to get the start, but Fleury was the one occupying the starter’s net when puck dropped.

The late switch didn’t affect anything as the Penguins won 3-1 and Fleury stopped 31 of 32 shots, including all 16 he faced in the first period.

“What can you say about his character and his compete level just to step in and be as good as he was,” Sullivan said afterward.

GM Jim Rutherford must be feeling quite happy that he ended up not dealing Fleury before the March 1 trade deadline. Knowing he can have an experience fall back plan in Fleury must be a relief. Now the only concern is Murray’s health and just how much more time he may miss.

– – – – – – –

Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy

MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY: