What It Means:

Matt Murray is the preferred starter for Pittsburgh, but he's currently battling a hand injury that will sideline him for the beginning of the season. Fleury is a more than capable replacement, recording a 2.29 goals against average and .921 save percentage last season in 58 games (35-17-6).

Fleury is projected to allow 2.27 goals on 27.86 shot attempts Thursday, based on numberFire's models. We give him a 52.0 percent chance of earning the win over Washington.

Source: dailyfaceoff