Matt Murray of Thunder Bay, Ontario recorded his first National Hockey League shutout as a member of the Ottawa Senators and the 12th shutout of his career on Saturday. Murray made 23 saves as the Senators defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
Murray made three saves in the first period, 11 saves in the second period, and nine saves in the third period. Defenceman Ben Chiarot of Hamilton, Ontario led the Canadiens with five shots on goal.
Offensively for Ottawa on Saturday, the Senators were led by Drake Batherson, who had two goals and one assist for three points. Other Senators with a multi-point game were Josh Norris and Brady Tkachuk, who each had two assists. Ottawa’s other goal scorers were Artem Zub and Nikita Zaitsev.
So far this season, Murray has a record of eight wins, 13 regulation losses, and one loss in extra time. He has a goals-against average of 3.62, and a save percentage of .886. Of Murray’s 12 career NHL regular season shutouts, the other 11 were with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
There is no doubt it has been a struggle for Murray with the Senators, since he signed a four-year deal worth $25 million on October 9, 2020, after being traded by Pittsburgh to Ottawa for a second-round draft pick in the 2020 National Hockey League Entry Draft and prospect Jonathan Gruden. With the draft pick, the Penguins selected goaltender Joel Blomqvist.
