Analysts Cook Leafs Goalie Matt Murray For Controversial Decision Ahead of Friday’s Game 3

Matt Murray missed Game 3 due to illness

Photo credit: Dan Hamilton Imagn Images

Many wondered why Dennis Hildeby was on the bench for Game 3 instead of Matt Murray, but when the reason became known, a pair of analysts cooked Murray for it.

For Game 2, we saw Matt Murray backing up Woll. But, to the surprise of many, in Game 3, we saw Dennis Hildeby playing that role in support of Woll.

Following Game 3, head coach Craig Berube revealed that Murray opted to sit out of the game due to illness. When news of the reason for his absence broke, Zack Phillips and Nick Alberga were live doing their post-game podcast.

It caused Alberga to absolutely roast Murray for his reasoning behind choosing not to sit on the bench.

“You’re f***ing kidding me! We joked about it in the press box. There’s no way. This is the Stanley Cup playoffs and we’re in round 2 and you’re the third string goaltender and you chanced it cause you’re sick?! To Dennis Hildeby You could tell Hildeby wasn’t supposed to play this game. He’s got the tan cooking, he’s the fourth stringer, he’s a black ace and you’re telling me Matt Murray was sick and couldn’t dress tonight? You couldn’t wear a ball cap on the bench?”

Phillips chimed in quickly following Alberta’s rant with a quick one-liner as well.

“Unless he’s wearing a diaper, you should be on that bench.”

Guys play through so much, including illness, during the playoffs, and for a guy that essentially played through two failed hips before undergoing surgery in 2023, you would think he’d be able to tough out sitting on a bench for a couple hours.

With Game 4 set to go on Sunday night, it is expected that Murray will be back to sitting on the bench and opening the gate for his teammates.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

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