Marc-Andre Fleury stabilizes Penguins in Game 1 victory against Blue Jackets
PITTSBURGH — Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury expected to be sitting on the bench for the Pittsburgh Penguins’ first game. Instead he found himself flying about his crease, making 31 saves, to trigger the Penguins’ 3-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Fleury, getting the start because Matt Murray suffered a lower-body injury the pregame warm-up, was flawless in the first period when the Blue Jackets outshot the Penguins 16-3. That bought the Penguins enough time to kick-start their offense in the second period on goals by Bryan Rust (1:15), Phil Kessel (3:45) and Nick Bonino (16:25).
Before the trade deadline, the Penguins contemplated trading Fleury because Murray has established himself as the full-time starter. When the Penguins won the Stanley Cup last June, Murray was in the net. Fleury only played two playoff games last season.
Keeping Fleury paid off in a big way Wednesday. How many NHL teams have a former Stanley Cup winner as their backup goalie? Fleury offers a wealth of experience because he helped the Penguins win a Stanley Cup in 2009.
The Penguins, also playing without injured defenseman Kris Letang, overcame a sluggish start to take charge in the second period.
Kessel’s goal was a welcome sight for the Penguins because he had only scored two goals in his past 26 games. He was a major offensive force for the Penguins in last season’s Stanley Cup run.
Matt Calvert scored the Blue Jackets’ lone goal at 12:41 of the third period.