The kids were all right for Penguins in preseason play

Sergei Murashov is as erudite as he is flexible.

But the chatty and sinewy Pittsburgh Penguins goaltending prospect has one matter he isn’t going to ruminate on in abundance: work.

To be precise, he isn’t terribly eager to take a guess as to where he’ll be plying his trade by Tuesday when the Penguins open the regular season.

After the Penguins’ preseason finale, a 5-4 comeback overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday at PPG Paints Arena, the 21-year-old Murashov deflected away a question about potentially being on the NHL roster, much like the 12 pucks he rejected off the sticks of Sabres players.

“I just did my job,” Murashov said. “I just stop the puck. The decision is up to them. Whatever they will say and (determine), I will take it and just keep going.”

In April, Penguins president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas declared an open competition for the goaltending position entering the 2025-26 campaign, then reiterated that stance on the first day of training camp last month.

While Dubas did add a caveat that consideration would be given to what might be best for the development of a younger player, such as Murashov, he indicated factors like contractual status would not play a factor in determining which two goaltenders would occupy the NHL club’s crease.

In three games this preseason, Murashov posted a 2-0-1 record, a 1.72 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.

But his play in Friday’s game wasn’t perfect. The goal he allowed was a bit of a clunker at 16 minutes, 47 seconds of the second period.

After Sabres forward Alex Tuch tossed a ho-hum wrister from the left circle, Murashov made the save initially but allowed a sloppy rebound to sit free in the crease. Accepting the charity, Sabres forward Jiri Kulich cleaned it up with a forehand shot.

Kulich, 4-2 #LetsGoBuffalo #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/EyJbuSZ6Jr

— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) October 4, 2025

What was Murashov’s response afterward?

“Next shot,” Murashov said. “It doesn’t matter. It’s already happened. Next shot. I knew if I stopped the next shot and then the next shot, it’s going to be a successful game.”

That mentality appears to be a common piece of guidance for the younger players making cases to stay on the NHL roster, including defenseman Harrison Brunicke and forward Ben Kindel, two of the organization’s top prospects.

The Sabres’ opening goal was scored by forward Tage Thompson at 3:53 of the second period. After a turnover by Kindel led to possession for the Sabres, Kindel and Brunicke were not in position to prevent Thompson from burying a forehand shot behind starting goaltender Tristan Jarry.

Tage Thompson, 1-1 #LetsGoBuffalo #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/QMoYtRxprJ

— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) October 4, 2025

“Plays like that are going to happen,” Kindel said. “Got to wash it off and come with a fresh mind the next shift. Every shift is a new shift. You can’t control what happened before. Obviously, you don’t want to be making mistakes too often, but when they do happen, have a fresh mindset.”

The 18-year-old Kindel, selected No. 11 overall during the NHL Draft in June, appeared in a team-high six games this preseason and collected three points (one goal, two assists).

And probably a few lessons.

“It’s a game of mistakes,” coach Dan Muse said. “Every single player on the ice tonight probably made a mistake at some point. Some of them are louder than others. That ended up being a loud one. You haven’t seen that (much from Kindel). He’s played a lot of exhibition games. I haven’t seen a lot of it in practice.

“It’s good for him. It’s a good thing to happen.”

The 19-year-old Brunicke made good for any faux pas by scoring an impressive goal at 13:53 of the second period with a bold rush up the right wing boards that led to a sneaky wrist shot on the near side that clunked off the left shoulder of goaltender Alex Lyon and into the cage.

Friendly reminder that Harrison Brunicke is 19 years old ????pic.twitter.com/D3CAyd662Y

— Penguins PR (@PenguinsPR) October 4, 2025

“I just got some time on the blue line,” said Brunicke, who had two points (one goal, one assist) in three preseason contests. “I made a play down low and luckily enough, I saw some space, and it went in.”

“Definitely a couple of breakdowns that I want back. But it’s all learning and growing and just taking steps each day, and I think I’m doing a good job at that.”

Whether Brunicke, Kindel or Murashov wind up with NHL jobs to open the regular season remains to be seen. But they’ve given plenty of evidence for management to view that supports their cases.

“I enjoy these games, enjoy being part of this team,” Murashov said. “Keep going.”