Penguins No. 1 goaltender Fleury seemingly ready to return from concussion

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Pittsburgh Penguins uncertain goaltending situation appeared clearer ahead of their playoff game Wednesday night against the New York Rangers.

Marc-Andre Fleury was in the home net at this morning’s skate and appears ready to return from a concussion that’s kept him out since March 31.

Fleury said earlier this week that he was hopeful to be back in time for Game 1 and all signs suggest he will be.

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan, however, would not confirm his starting goaltender.

“We will make a decision at game time,” Sullivan said.

The Rangers, meanwhile, say they expect Fleury to start.

Fleury looked to be in good spirits at his dressing room stall following the morning skate, but was unavailable to speak to media. Pittsburgh goaltenders do not address reporters after game-day skates.

Following his second practice back with the club on Tuesday, 31-year-old Fleury said he felt “pretty good”.

“Just still working my way back I think timing-wise and technically, too, just little things here and there I want to get better,” he told reporters. “I think you can practise as much as you want and it’s never the same feel as a game, how quick it is, how much traffic there is, how many guys around (the net) you’ve got to deal with. It’s something you can’t really duplicate in practice.”

Fleury’s availability is hugely important to the Penguins given the absence of backup goaltender Matt Murray, who was injured on the final day of the regular season. Without Fleury, Pittsburgh would have to start Jeff Zatkoff, who has less than 40 games of NHL experience, none in the playoffs.

“Just try not to think too much about it,” Zatkoff said of potentially starting his first postseason game earlier this week.

Fleury is coming off one of the best regular seasons of his career, boasting a .921 save percentage in 58 starts.