Penguins fans got a first look at goaltender Sergei Murashov\u2019s athleticism and agility when the 2022 fourth-round pick made his NHL preseason debut on Monday night against the Canadiens.<\/p>\n
After taking over for Joel Blomqvist in the second half of the preseason opener, Murashov made 19 saves on 20 shots through 1.5 periods and overtime.<\/p>\n
That included a highlight-reel grab on a point-blank chance from Ivan Demidov.<\/p>\n
Murashov then turned aside three of five chances in the shootout, stopping Demidov, Patrik Laine and Filip Cesar before Oliver Kapanen beat him on the game-winning goal.<\/p>\n
The 21-year-old netminder was particularly happy to have made those two game-saving stops on Demidov, whom he had battled in the MHL, Russia\u2019s junior league, according to Penguins reporter Michelle Crechiolo<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Penguins will meanwhile be pleased with the ability to get quickly from side to side of the net that Murashov displayed during his 34:55 on the ice Monday night.<\/p>\n Murashov has been surrounded by plenty of hype heading into camp after recording franchise-record rookie win streaks in both the AHL and ECHL during his first season in North America.<\/p>\n With the Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton Penguins, Murashov went 12-3 with a 2.64 goals against average and a .913 save percentage with one shutout.<\/p>\n He\u2019s now getting some glowing reviews from his Penguins teammates during training camp.<\/p>\n From Tristan Broz after Monday night\u2019s preseason loss, via Crechiolo<\/a>: \u201cHe\u2019s such a stud. I love him so much. I wish we could have got that win for him. He deserved it. He\u2019s such a great player and such an inspiring person. So, it was fun to see him do his thing out there. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll build and get better off of it.\u201d<\/p>\n From Bryan Rust earlier in training camp, via The Athletic\u2019s Josh Yohe<\/a>: \u201cYeah, I have noticed him. In fact, I noticed him last year, too. Even before camp this year, I noticed him. It\u2019s hard not to notice him. He\u2019s that much better this year.\u201d<\/p>\n More from Rust: \u201cHis athleticism and natural ability are one thing. But what I really see is his work ethic, his competitiveness, how he never gives up on plays. We just seem him putting the work in every day. All of those things add up over time for a goalie.\u201d<\/p>\n Joel Blomqvist meanwhile made 11 saves on 11 shots while playing the first 30 minutes of Monday\u2019s preseason opener.<\/p>\n Penguins head coach Dan Muse said about both goaltenders after the game, per Crechiolo<\/a>: \u201cYou want hard decisions. We want guys to be constantly taking advantage of opportunities. Both guys came over tonight and played really well.\u201d<\/p>\n With Tristan Jarry still on the roster heading into the season, and Blomqvist joining Arturs Silovs and Filip Larsson in competing for playing time, there\u2019s no guarantee as to which level Murashov will be playing at next season.<\/p>\n Dubas has told reporters<\/a> that the goaltenders\u2019 preseason and training camp performances will matter more than their contract status, but Jarry\u2019s $5.375 million cap hit<\/a> is still something the Penguins will have to take into consideration when shaping the roster.<\/p>\n