Mike Sullivan hasn't named his No. 1 goalie for the Penguins' qualifying-round series against Montreal later this summer.
There's a pretty good chance that he hasn't even finalized a decision yet, and won't until during -- or maybe even after -- the training camp that is scheduled to begin on or around July 10. (Assuming the coronavirus pandemic doesn't revise the NHL's timeframe.)
Matt Murray, though, probably would be Sullivan's default choice, given his pronounced edge in playoff experience -- he helped the Penguins win Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017 and has 48 postseason appearances on his resume, whereas Tristan Jarry has yet to face a shot in the playoffs at this level -- but Murray seems to recognize that he and Jarry will be competing to be the go-to guy this summer.
"I can only control what's in my control, and that's putting in my best effort on the ice every time," he told a conference call Tuesday. "The rest will take care of itself. I know that if i compete and work really hard, the rest will fall into place, so that's where my focus has been."
Murray was the clear No. 1 last fall, but he and Jarry each had runs in the top spot before the NHL suspended play March 12 because of the pandemic.
Jarry finished the regular season with a 20-12-1 record, .921 save percentage and 2.43 goals-against average, while Murray went 20-11-5, with a .899 and 2.87.
Murray's career numbers in the playoffs are somewhat better than those from this season -- he's 28-19, with a .921 and 2.16 in postseason play -- although he said his approach to his work doesn't change, even if what transpires in front of him does a bit.
"The job stays the same," he said. "It's all about stopping the puck. Your focus narrows, and there's obviously less margin for error in the playoffs. I would say the game changes a little bit, tends to tighten up a little bit."
This postseason will be unlike any in NHL history, and not only because it will be contested in mid- and late summer.
Twenty-four teams, up from the usual 16, will have a chance to claim the Cup, and if a club that goes through the best-of-five qualifying round ends up as the champion, it will have won 19 games, rather than the customary 16.
Although expanding the postseason field has been criticized in some quarters, Murray said he has no complaints about it.
"I don't think there was necessarily any one option that would keep everybody happy," he said. "This is, I think, the best option on the table, and we're going to make the most of it. In terms of preparation, I would say it's similar to a normal playoffs. It's just an extra series.
"We've been off for such a long time that it kind of makes it feel a little bit more like a tournament, maybe, and just kind of builds the excitement. I think it's great. I know we're really looking forward to the challenge."
That's not the only one the Penguins -- and every other team -- will face when play resumes. Games are scheduled be contested in a pair of still-to-be-determined "hub" cities, with no fans present.
That means the crowd noise that drives so many players will be missing. How they will react to performing in virtual silence remains to be seen.
"I can't say I've ever been in that scenario before," Murray said. "I just know that us, as a team, and us, as individuals, are going to have to kind of create our own energy. It's a new challenge, but one that I think everyone is excited for."
Murray said he has a full gym at his offseason home in Canada, and thus did not have the difficulties working out during the shutdown that some players experienced. He also said he's happy with how the small-group workouts that began recently at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry have been progressing.
"We're making the best of the situation," he said. "The skates so far have gone really, really well. The pace has been really good, the competition has been really good. In terms of the situation, I don't think it could go much better.
"It's different than a normal practice, obviously. For a goalie, for myself, it's great because you see quite a few shots. I've been really enjoying these skates so far. The work we're getting, what we're able to work on, is very concentrated, which I think is great. We're just making the most of it. ... I've really enjoyed it."
The Penguins finished 15 points ahead of the Canadiens during the regular season, and figure to be heavy favorites to defeat Montreal during the play-in round.
Nonetheless, Murray -- as with every teammate who has discussed the Canadiens publicly since the postseason format was announced -- insists that Montreal is a legitimate threat to bring the Penguins' restarted season to an abrupt end.
"They're a great team," he said. "They're fast. They're well-coached. They're structured. We know that we're in a for a huge challenge. They're a dangerous team."
One he hopes, understandably, that he'll be able to prove he should have an opportunity to face when that season resumes.
"All I can do is focus on what I can control, and try to put my best effort forward," Murray said. "Every practice, every game. That's what I'm doing right now. I'm going to do everything I can to be sharp and be at my best, to help this team win another Stanley Cup."
Matt Murray before the Penguins' final regular-season game, March 10 in Newark, N.J. - GETTY
Penguins
Murray: 'I can only control what's in my control'
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