WASHINGTON — The Penguins are expected to start goaltender Matt Murray for Sunday’s game against the rival Washington Capitals according to head coach Mike Sullivan.

Due to the Penguins’ 10-day break in the schedule as well as an ongoing platoon with fellow goaltender Tristan Jarry, Murray has not played since a 4-3 home win against the Boston Bruins on Jan. 19. Murray made 38 saves in that victory.

Allowing Murray to play for the first time in two weeks was part of the decision according Sullivan.

“There was a lot that went into it,” Sullivan said. “I’d rather not share what went into it. What I will share is that we believe we have a real strong goalie tandem. Matt’s game has been strong in his last handful of starts. Has has Tristan’s. We feel like we’ve got two really strong goalies that are going to give us a chance to win, that are going to make the timely saves for us. It’s important that we keep both of these guys in the mix. But Matt’s game in particular has been really good.”

In 27 games this season, Murray has a 15-6-4 record along with a 2.84 goals against average, a .900 save percentage and one shutout.

Notes:

• Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist is available to play a day after a dental procedure which forced him to miss practice in Cranberry.

• Sullivan indicated forward Sam Lafferty was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League in part to have a full complement of 13 forwards for the team’s three-game road trip this week which includes games against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday and the Florida Panthers on Saturday.

Lafferty slotted into the lineup in place of forward Andrew Agozzino.

-Sullivan did not indicate if injured forwards Nick Bjugstad (core muscle) or Dominik Kahun (concussion) accompanied the team on the road trip.

• The Capitals are expected to start rookie goaltender Ilya Samsonov. In 20 games this season, he has 16-2-1 record along with a 2.11 goals against average, a .925 save percentage and one shutout.

• Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov is scheduled to play in his 500th career game.

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