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Goalie nods: Streaking Murray starts again for Pens

Pittsburgh Penguins v Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FL - DECEMBER 08: Matt Murray #30 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save during a game against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center on December 8, 2016 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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Back in late November, Pens GM Jim Rutherford admitted his two-goalie system -- comprised of Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray -- wasn’t working as well as he’d hoped.

Which could help explain what’s transpired lately.

The Pens are going for their seventh straight win tonight, when they host Boston at PPG Paints, and Murray will make his fifth straight start. Fleury will once again sit as the backup, meaning his last game action came 11 days ago.

Not that head coach Mike Sullivan could be blamed for sticking with the status quo.

The Pens are on fire right now and Murray is a big reason why -- he’s coming off a 32-save shutout of the Coyotes and, over this current win streak, has posted a 1.98 GAA and .931 save percentage.

It shouldn’t be long before Fleury gets another start, however. Following tonight’s game, Pittsburgh plays a Friday-Saturday back-to-back -- at home against Los Angeles, then on the road in Toronto. Have to figure Flower will get one of those.

For the Bruins, Tuukka Rask is likely to get the start. He was the first goalie off at this morning’s skate.

Elsewhere...

-- Mike Condon goes for the Senators, who are hosting San Jose. No word yet on a Sharks starter yet, as Martin Jones played (and beat) the Leafs in a shootout last night. One would assume this means Aaron Dell gets the nod.

-- Chad Johnson will start, yet again, when the Flames host the Bolts in Calgary. No word yet on a Tampa Bay starter, but Ben Bishop is expected to go.

-- Seymon Varlamov is hurt, so Calvin Pickard starts for the first time since allowing four goals in a 10-1 drubbing in Montreal. He’ll take on Steve Mason, who is making his 14th start in the last 16 games for the Flyers.