PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For a player most had never heard of before September, Arturs Silovs might be the most divisive Pittsburgh athlete mention on social media right now. With the injury to Stuart Skinner, he might be the Pens playoff goalie.
There are still nearly two weeks before the playoffs start and we don’t yet know the length of time Skinner will miss, nor if they might turn to rookie Sergei Murashov.
The 22-year-old is 23-8-3 in 35 starts with a 2.13 goals against average, .922 save percentage in the AHL this year. He got five games in the NHL in late 2025, 1-1-2 with a 2.56 GAA and .897 save %. His second start for the Pens was a shutout win on 21 shots against Nashville and his last, he gave up five goals against Utah in a loss.
There is a prevailing thought by some that Murashov gives the Pens the best chance in the postseason having only played those five games in the NHL. In 2015-16, 21-year-old Matt Murray played only 13 games in the NHL before becoming the Pens lead goalie leading them to the franchise’s fourth Stanley Cup (15-6, 2.08 GAA, .923 save percentage).
Let’s look at the numbers to see if you would gather any confidence in Silovs.
In his last outing, he garnered praise for turning around on late notice on 20 hours of rest to start a second consecutive game against Florida.
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“Two points was so important, to get that done on a back-to-back against the same opponent,” said Pens head coach Dan Muse. “They were going to come in angry. For Arty to play in a back-to-back like that, those aren’t easy, especially when it was a little bit unexpected.”
“He had to make some big saves, especially in the third period.”
“Those were some huge saves, I thought some of our breakdowns. We spent more time killing penalties than we needed to in the third period especially. One of those goes in early in the third, now it’s a different feel to the game. It didn’t happen, he made those saves.”
“I think it shows a lot, you never know when these types of situations are going to come up. Really great by him.”
Silovs mistakes really didn’t impact Saturday’s game, seven straight goals made the four goals he gave up meaningless to the final outcome. Sunday was different, from finding out late to, as Muse said, having to make some big saves.
The 25-year-old had his best game since mid-March limiting Colorado to two goals.
Between those two starts, Silovs had given up 16 goals in his previous four starts.
Overall for the season in 37 starts, 19-10 with eight overtime losses. The goals against average is 2.99 (35th in the NHL) and save percentage is .891 (41st in NHL). Those are roughly the same numbers as Skinner this season 2.91 GAA (33rd in NHL) and save percentage .888 (43rd in NHL)—and the numbers slightly higher since joining the Pens.
Yet the overwhelming outside opinion is Skinner would start the postseason after getting a few consecutive starts. Now an injury.
The 27-year-old Skinner has extensive NHL playoff experience, playing in the Stanley Cup final in each of the last two seasons with Edmonton (2.45 GAA & .901 save percentage in 2023-24 and 2.99 GAA and .889 in 2024-25). But even if desired, he may not be available.
Silovs won the Calder Cup last year with the Abbotsford Canucks (16-7 record, 2.01 goals against average, .931 save percentage). It’s the American Hockey League, which inherently means Silovs wasn’t facing as good of players, but reports are Silovs at times stood on his head at big moments.
In 2022-23, Silovs played well on the international stage. Representing Team Latvia in the World Cup he went 7-3 with a 2.20 goals against average and .921 save percentage. In the Olympics in February, 1-2, 3.01 GAA and .873 save percentage.
Silovs had a stretch in early 2026 of impressive work in consecutive starts
- Jan 10-25 shots, 2 goals, .920 loss Calgary
- Jan 13-31 shots, 1 goal, .968, OT loss TB
- Jan 17-26 shots, 3 goals, .885, OT loss CBJ
- Jan 22-32 shots, 2 goals, .938, W at Edm
- Jan 29-20 shots, 2 goals, .900, W Chicago
- Feb 2-31 shots, 3 goals, .903 L Ottawa
- Feb 5-27 shots, 2 goals, .926 W Buffalo
- Feb 26-30 shots, 1 goal, .967 W Devils
- Mar 1-22 shots, 0 goal, 1.000 W Las Vegas
OVER the 9 games--234 shots, 16 goals, .936 save percentage
This is likely to be a fluid situation over the next few days and potentially weeks.
“I would like to play more for sure,” Silovs. “I think when you play more, you get used to it and find the rhythm better.”
There have been stretches where Silovs has been the answer.
All season Muse has been unwavering in not naming a number one goalie. Who starts in net is the biggest question as the Pens head to the postseason for the first time in four seasons.
Stuart Skinner’s injury impacts thoughts going forward
