NEW YORK -- It could just be that the Penguins have finally found stability.
Their morning skate in advance of Thursday night's Game 4 against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden showed no signs of any changes from their 3-1 victory two nights ago. Not in the lineup, not in the combinations and, wow, not even in goal.
Mike Sullivan, bucking all of his own precedent in these Stanley Cup playoffs, announced Matt Murray as his starter for a second consecutive game, this after a 16-save playoff debut Tuesday.
"Matt Murray's playing," Sullivan stated simply.
Asked if that early knowledge might help Murray's teammates prepare mentally, the coach said, "I don't think so. I think our players play the same way regardless of who's behind them. You know, I've said all along that I believe in the guys we have. We have three really good goalies. Regardless of who goes in the net for us, it doesn't change our approach or our mindset or how we have to play in front of them. So I don't think this changes the mindset at all of our group."
The skate was optional, with Sullivan not taking the ice. Sixteen players did, everyone except Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang, Phil Kessel, Matt Cullen, Patric Hornqvist, Chris Kunitz, Eric Fehr and Nick Bonino.
Marc-Andre Fleury, who has not been cleared to play, also was not on the ice. Only Murray and Jeff Zatkoff were. Sullivan said that Fleury has stayed off the ice the past three days because "he's going through a process." That sure sounds like a setback with his concussion, but that's unconfirmed.
"When he is ready to play, we'll let you know," Sullivan answered when pressed. "Right now, his status is day to day."
Photos from the Penguins' morning skate in New York prior to Game 4. -- JARED WICKERHAM / DKPS