Unexpected goalies have a history in Pittsburgh. They probably don’t get that first Cup back in ‘91 if Frank Pietrangelo hadn’t stepped in for an injured Tom Barasso and
robbed Peter Stastny. Johan Hedberg was a career minor leaguer before leading the Penguins to the conference finals in 2001 and
becoming a local sensation. Even last year’s Cup run started off with
a dude named Jeff Zatkoff in net.
The unexpected goalie last night, and for who knows how long going forward, just happened to be the winningest goalie in Pittsburgh Penguins history. Marc-Andre Fleury, relegated to a backup role this season and who might’ve been expected to be shipped out at the trade deadline (and is still probably a good bet to get moved this summer), stepped up after a last-minute injury to Matt Murray and was excellent, making 31 saves in Pittsburgh’s 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets to take a 1-0 series lead.