Penguins face roster questions as Murashov shines in preseason

The Pittsburgh Penguins closed their preseason with a 5-4 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 4 at PPG Paints Arena, a final tuneup that left the organization with immediate roster questions as it prepares to open the regular season one night later at Madison Square Garden. Sidney Crosby scored a third-period wraparound to force overtime and finished the game in sudden death, while several younger players and goaltenders made cases for NHL jobs as the franchise finalizes its roster.

The victory highlighted two competing storylines for Pittsburgh. On the ice, 21-year-old prospect Sergei Murashov continued to impress in net, stopping 12 of 13 shots in relief and emerging as a leading candidate for playing time. Tristan Jarry had mixed results in the preseason and appeared less sharp at times, and Arturs Silovs remains in the mix after joining the club from Vancouver. Penguins management must weigh Murashov’s readiness against the need for more AHL seasoning as they name a starter ahead of the roster freeze.

Up front, veteran Evgeni Malkin began the season penciled in alongside Anthony Mantha, and Crosby showed he remains productive. Rookie and fringe forwards such as...