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Penguins' Fleury comfortable with backup role

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

For the time being, the Pittsburgh Penguins are Matt Murray's team.

The 21-year-old has emerged as the story of the playoffs, posting a 5-1 record thus far. His most recent performance was his best: a 47-save winning effort in Game 3 versus the Washington Capitals.

Related: Penguins must stick with Matt Murray

Although Murray was the center of attention after the game, Marc-Andre Fleury was the story prior to puck drop. The Penguins' franchise goaltender was cleared to play for the fist time since suffering a concussion March 31.

Fleury served as Murray's backup Monday night and will likely remain in that spot going forward, which he's okay with.

"That's fine. I haven't played in a month now," Fleury told Jenn Menendez of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "What's important is us winning. Matty's giving us a chance to win every night he's been in there. I'll stay ready. I'll encourage him. It's not a personal game. It's a team game."

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan is happy to have Fleury available and both goalies ready to go.

"He's a good person, he understands the circumstance and he rolls with it," Sullivan said. "As players, all that you can do is control that which is in your control. Good for us that we have a healthy Marc-Andre Fleury right now. ... He's going to do everything he can to make sure that he's sharp when the time comes, and we need him to help us win. In the meantime, he's doing a great job with Matt."

The Penguins' second-round series continues Wednesday night with Murray between the pipes for Game 4.

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