Murray: Adversity made him stronger
learn from the bad things probably even more than the good things. I’ll take that. Everything that has happened is going to make me stronger in the long run.”
This season for Murray did not feature sterling numbers.
He had posted goalsagainst averages of 2.00 (13 games) and 2.41 in his first two regular seasons but a 2.92 in 2017-18. His save percentage reached just .907 compared to .930 and .923 the previous two years.
In the playoffs, Murray played to a 2.43 goals-against average and .908 save percentage compared to careerbest marks of 1.70 and .937 a year earlier.
You could blame the busy season. Or the Penguins’ play in front of him, as their defense was drastically different, Kris Letang was up and down, and they allowed odd-man rushes at an alarming clip.
A good bit of it falls on Murray, too. There were more saves that he needed to make, saves that he had made in the past.
Murray didn’t care to evaluate his season — “I’m not going to answer that right now,” Murray said. “I’d be talking for days.” — Wednesday, but he did take away plenty from spending his first full season as the guy, no longer in a timeshare with MarcAndre Fleury.
“That’s one thing, how appreciative I am of the last two years, and how appreciative you are for your health,” Murray said.
“You never know when you can get hurt out there. You always want to be healthy.”
Then there was the margin between winning and losing.
“Probably the thinnest of any pro sports league,” Murray said.
Injuries will always be a story with Murray until they’re not. He went on injured reserve for a lowerbody injury in late November and dealt with a minor upper-body issue a month later.
Then, when Murray was starting to find a groove — even if he hates that term — a shot from Olli Maatta in practice hit Murray in the mask and concussed him.
In the 11 games preceding the concussion, Murray had gone 9-1-1 with a 2.40 goalsagainst average and a .925 save percentage.
“I don’t like talking about grooves or anything like that,” Murray said. “I don’t have any control. I don’t choose when I got my concussion. It just happens. I don’t really think like that. I don’t really worry about that.
“It was unfortunate. It’s no fun having a concussion, especially at that time of year. I didn’t really let it affect me. Came back and played really well afterward. It was unfortunate, but it was out of my control.”
Murray began the postseason like the guy fans saw the past two postseasons. Two shutouts early against the Philadelphia Flyers. Only one goal allowed in another win.
But then came a loss in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals, allowing five goals in a winning effort in Game 6 against the Flyers and a .905 save percentage the next round against the Capitals.
Similar to other things he experienced in 2017-18, it was a lesson for Murray in how your world can change.
“Every year I learn more and more about how to be a pro and how to handle the ins and outs of the long season, dealing with adversity, all that kind of stuff,” Murray said.
“This year was a huge learning year for me, and I’m very appreciative of that.”