5 reasons why Pittsburgh Penguins will win Stanley Cup

PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 01: Pittsburgh Penguins Center Sidney Crosby (87) looks on during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals on April 1, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Washington Capitals defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 5: Matt Murray /

2. Money Matt Murray

It’s been an emotional season, to say the least, for Matt Murray. He’s battled through multiple injuries and lost his father earlier in the season. He, of course, would want nothing more than to win this championship for him and it starts by playing well in the postseason. Murray only has a .907 save percentage in 49 games this season after being .923 last season and .930 the year before. In the playoffs though, he turns up his game to another level and Pittsburgh will need that if they are to do it again.

In the playoffs, Murray has a .928 career save percentage over two playoff runs which is awesome. He had back-to-back shutouts against the Predators in Games 5 and 6 to help the Penguins win again last season. He came in relief of Marc-Andre Fleury after he struggled in Game 3 against the Ottawa Senators and he never looked back. He won seven games and posted a .937 save percentage, which is almost Tim Thomas-level good from 2011.

Lately, he’s being giving up some not-so-good goals, especially when he allowed a bad first goal to Zach Werenski as the puck snuck past his pad when it looked like there was no room. In big games though, Murray has shown the ability to rise to the occasion and he will have to do it again in these playoffs.

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