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Could Matt Murray complete the tandem the Montreal Canadiens need?

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 18: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins defends his net during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on January 18, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 18: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins defends his net during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on January 18, 2017 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens, Matt Murray
Montreal Canadiens, Matt Murray /

The Montreal Canadiens have been looking for ways to maximize their goaltending, and perhaps Matt Murray can be the perfect partner for Carey Price.

The backup goalie position has been equally as important as improving the left side of the defence for the Montreal Canadiens. After that first year with Antti Niemi, it’s been a challenge finding someone to not only play on back-to-backs but to get the occasional start and take some relief off of Carey Price. Niemi fell in his second year while Keith Kinkaid didn’t work, and if the Habs are still on the hunt for a goaltender to complete that tandem, perhaps Matt Murray is the answer.

Murray has created a lot of buzz for himself since breaking into the league in the 2015-16 season. He was in Pittsburgh to backup starter Marc-Andre Fleury but took his job in the playoffs. He went 15-6 sporting a .923 save percentage to lead the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup since 2009.

Pittsburgh platooned Murray and Fleury, with the former getting more of the games the next season. History was made that year as the Penguins went back to back, winning the Stanley Cup once again. Murray and Fleury virtually split the games, but the Flower was their guy this time.

Once Fleury moved on to the Vegas Golden Knights, Murray’s luck fell hard. Battling with injuries was one thing, but he didn’t look as dominant, especially this year, which saw him lose his starting role to Tristan Jarry. And as a pending RFA with some awkward tension between him and the organization, it looks as if a new start with a new team could be the way to go. Could it be to the Habs?

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