So, you’re concerned about Penguins goalie Matt Murray.

You’ve heard he’s been sluggish in training camp. You haven’t been wild about his regular-season performance the last few years. You think he may not be back in Pittsburgh next season anyway because of his contract situation. And you are starting to wonder if the bloom is off the rose from his two Stanley Cup wins.

Got it. With as much as the Penguins have on the line in terms of a solid chance of chasing down a sixth Stanley Cup, I hear your concerns.

Here’s a question, though. Do you really have more faith in Tristan Jarry?

If I told you, Murray is opting out of the 2020 playoffs due to covid-19 concerns, and Jarry was going to be the starter the whole playoffs, would you genuinely feel much more confident?

Because that’s something you have to ask yourself, Penguins fans. You can complain all you want about how a perceived slow start from Murray could impact the Penguins’ Stanley Cup chances in the rebooted playoffs, which start Aug. 1 in Toronto against the Montreal Canadiens.

If you really want something done, then you have to be prepared for head coach Mike Sullivan to pull Murray from the ice and start Jarry in goal.

Acknowledging the fact that Jarry has never played in an NHL playoff game.

Maybe you want to take the keys away from Murray. However, do you really want to give them to Jarry?

When Sullivan first gave Murray a start as the playoff netminder back in 2016, it was because Marc-Andre Fleury was injured. And by the time Fleury was healthy, Murray had already guided the Penguins through a 7-2 record in March and April and deep into the playoffs.

This isn’t the same thing.

Furthermore, just because Murray went on a remarkable championship run in his first NHL season, that doesn’t mean Jarry is destined to do the same.

Personally, I’d start Murray against the Canadiens and make him prove to me early in that series he could personally cost the Penguins a championship run. That decision would have to be made quickly. Perhaps the Penguins will overwhelm the Canadiens anyway, to the point that Murray can knock off some rust and be ready for Round 2.

If Murray can’t find his groove, I wouldn’t hesitate to quickly insert Jarry for a short best-of-five series. After all, he did make the All-Star team. But Murray would have to disappoint quickly — and decisively — for Sullivan to do that, I believe.

Keep in mind, Jarry was just 7-7-1 after Jan. 1. His goals against average was 3.06 during that stretch, and his save percentage was 90.1. That’s quite a dip from the stats the 24-year-old posted in his prior 20 games for the Penguins, leading the NHL in many major goaltending categories with a 1.99 goals against average, .935 save percentage and three shutouts.

Penguins Radio Network host Brian Metzer joins me to discuss this complicated topic, Jared McCann’s role, how the lines may get shifted around if Sidney Crosby’s injury continues, bird knowledge, the Blue Jays’ potential future at PNC Park, and international mascot wars between Toronto and Pittsburgh.

Listen: Tim Benz and Brian Metzer discuss the Penguins goalie situation as the team prepares for a playoff run

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