Fleury’s slump creates a goalie dilemma for Pens

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Nearly a month into the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ top goalie hasn’t lost a game in regulation. He is second in the NHL in goals-against average and save percentage. When he’s played, the Penguins have recorded 11 of a possible 12 points.

The dilemma: He’s not Marc-Andre Fleury, who won the Stanley Cup with a brilliant Game 7 against Detroit less than two years ago and was a Canadian Olympian last winter.

Instead, backup goalie Brent Johnson’s 5-0-1 record, 1.16 goals-against average and .960 save percentage are creating a tricky situation for coach Dan Bylsma as the Penguins begin a three-game road trip tonight in Dallas.

Does Bylsma keep playing the goalie who can’t seem to lose? Or does he keep trying to get his starter going, knowing that once Fleury plays himself out of his slump the Penguins will be a stronger team for the long term?

Bylsma wasn’t saying Tuesday, but Johnson’s play — he hasn’t allowed a goal in regulation during his past two starts — may have answered the question for him.

“He’s got some gaudy numbers right now,” Bylsma said. “That’s definitely a factor in the decisions for these three games in four days.”

So are these: Fleury is 1-5, with a 3.35 goals-against average and an .863 save percentage that uncharacteristically rank near the bottom of the league.

Fleury, who doesn’t turn 26 until Nov. 28 but already is in his seventh NHL season, has experienced slumps before. This one is perplexing because it’s lasted all season and may have begun during last season’s playoffs. Fleury has given up at least three goals in all six starts and in nine of 10 dating to last season, while Johnson has yet to allow more than two goals in any of his six starts.

It’s the reversal of a season ago when Fleury, only four months removed from winning the Stanley Cup, won his first eight starts.

“It’s long, a frustrating feeling, but it’s about getting those games in the back of my head and moving forward,” Fleury said. “I try to stay confident — sometimes, that gets in your head a lot — but you have to be able to forget about it, put it aside. That’s when you’re able to get out of it.”

The Penguins are confident a goalie who has won at least 35 games in three of the past four seasons will come out of it. One reason is his attitude.

“He’s a guy who brings a lot of energy and life to our team, so we just stay positive,” defenseman Kris Letang said.