In anticipation of the 2016 Championship Reunion on January 31, the Pittsburgh Penguins are revisiting key moments from their Stanley Cup run. Jeff Zatkoff, who played a crucial role in the Eastern Conference First Round against the New York Rangers, shared his memories of that series.
The Penguins faced uncertainty at the end of the regular season after rookie goaltender Matt Murray was placed in concussion protocol following a collision with Brayden Schenn during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers. With Marc-Andre Fleury also sidelined due to a concussion, Jeff Zatkoff stepped in as goaltender just days before the playoffs began.
“I would say I had a 75% idea that I would start,” Zatkoff said. “Then it was confirmed the night before the game when we had a team dinner. But I mean, Matt wasn’t practicing, and Marc was on the ice, but was still having symptoms. So, all signs were kind of pointing towards me playing.”
Zatkoff had limited playing time leading up to this moment, appearing in only five NHL games since January 1 and 35 in his career overall. He described feeling nervous before Game 1: “I think anyone who tells you they don’t have butterflies around nerves is lying,” he said. “At the start of the playoffs, you don’t want to let anyone down, right? They worked so hard all year to get to that spot, and you want to be a part of that success.”
He credited coaches Mike Bales, Bill Guerin and Rick Tocchet for helping him stay prepared despite not playing regularly: “I got extra work in after practice, and then treated my opportunities in the net in practice like they were my game situation,” Zatkoff said.
As Game 1 began at PPG Paints Arena against New York, Zatkoff made an early save on Kevin Hayes which helped calm his nerves: “There are just games where you know you’re seeing it better than others… It was like, ‘Okay, I got this.’ I’m seeing it well, and it’s just what I’ve done a thousand times.”
Patric Hornqvist scored first for Pittsburgh; Sidney Crosby added another goal in the second period. “They were putting a decent amount of pressure on us,” Zatkoff recalled. “Sid comes out… he scores. It kind of deflated them a little bit.” After two periods without allowing any goals on 22 shots faced by Zatkoff, New York cut into Pittsburgh’s lead early in the third period with a power play goal.
Pittsburgh responded quickly as Tom Kuhnhackl scored shorthanded—his first playoff goal—and Hornqvist added another on a power play for a commanding lead. “I just felt like we responded throughout that whole game… take their punches and then right away just counterpunch,” Zatkoff said.
Despite Derek Stepan narrowing Pittsburgh’s lead again later in the third period and Antti Raanta being pulled by New York for an extra attacker late in regulation time, Hornqvist completed his hat trick to secure victory.
“It’s just the ability to be a team… different individuals step up and deliver at certain times when maybe you’re not expecting it,” said Zatkoff about Pittsburgh’s depth during that postseason run.
When time expired on Game 1—a 5-2 win—Zatkoff finished with 35 saves on 37 shots and earned Second Star honors: “That’s kind of what you work for…to be able to deliver…when given that opportunity,” he reflected.
His wife did not watch live due to nerves: “She told me that she didn’t watch the game…then watched highlights when she knew result.” Afterward he received numerous messages from friends and family congratulating him.
Although Zatkoff started Game 2 (a loss), Murray returned soon after and led Pittsburgh through much of their championship run with strong performances.
“The plan was for Murray to always come in and take back over,” Zatkoff explained. In Games 3 and 4 at Madison Square Garden—with Murray back—the Penguins won both contests convincingly: “We just went into their barn and kind of beat wheels off them two games in row…we controlled play.”
Zatkoff highlighted contributions from players such as Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino and Carl Hagelin—the HBK Line—as essential during those playoffs: “They all brought something unique…once ball started rolling couldn’t stop momentum.”
Pittsburgh closed out Round One with another home win (6-3) advancing further toward their eventual Stanley Cup victory.
Reflecting on his pivotal performance earning him nickname ‘Mr. Game 1,’ Zatkoff concluded: “It’s a special time in my life…Playing in that game…and getting that win just kind of changed my persona…and created memory…that always holds special place…”
