In 2016 and 2017, goaltender Matt Murray became a playoff legend when his goaltending helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cups.
After winning the 2017 Stanley Cup, Murray and the Penguins failed to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. After 2020, Murray's tenure in the Steel City came to an end.
In October 2020, the Ottawa Senators signed Murray to a four-year, $25 million contract, but his tenure in Ottawa was a rough one as it lasted two seasons, and Ottawa never made the playoffs with Murray in between the pipes. After Ottawa, it was unsure of when Murray would play again in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but the opportunity had finally arrived when least expected.
Murray comes in relief in Game 5 vs Florida
Since the 2022-23 season, Murray has spent his career with the Senators' most hated rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. While Murray didn't see any action or was the backup goaltender for when the Maple Leafs eliminated the Senators in the first round in six games, Murray was called up when Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz was injured after being elbowed in the head by Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of the Maple Leafs' second round series.
Joseph Woll started the past four games with Stolarz injured, but Game 5 tonight was an absolute struggle. After allowing in five goals, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube pulled Woll from the net and inserted Murray.
We have a goalie change in Toronto following the Panthers fifth goal of the night pic.twitter.com/99nDYNuC7k
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2025
By inserting Murray, it would be Murray's first time playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs since Aug. 5, 2020, as a member of the Penguins. It was Game 3 of the Penguins' Qualifying Round series of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Montreal Canadiens.
Murray came into play with 13:37 remaining in regulation and the Maple Leafs trailing 5-0. In relief, Murray allowed in one goal to Bennett on a powerplay, and finished with making six saves.
The Maple Leafs were blown out embarrassingly at home 6-1 at Scotiabank Arena in Game 5 and now trail the series 3-2 after winning the first two games of the series. The Maple Leaf fans were emptying out of the arena, booing their team and some fans even threw jerseys onto the ice.
Game 6 of the series will be on Friday at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. If the Maple Leafs lose Game 6, Murray and the Maple Leafs' season will be over.