Zatkoff a surprise, but his success is not The Penguins used some gamesmanship in Game 1, convincing the Rangers that Marc-Andre Fleury was starting all day until it was revealed close to game time that Jeff Zatkoff would be the Pittsburgh starter. As TSN senior hockey reporter Frank Seravalli explains, the Penguins had no problem rallying around one of their most popular teammates.

Frank Seravalli TSN Senior Hockey Reporter Follow|Archive

PITTSBURGH — Jeff Zatkoff was prepared. The Penguins’ charter landed in Toronto on a Friday afternoon last October and not just any Saturday night game awaited.

It was Phil Kessel’s return to Air Canada Centre. And Pittsburgh’s backup goaltender couldn’t resist the urge to share a laugh at his new teammate’s expense.

Zatkoff popped in a DVD highlight reel of Kessel’s interaction with the Toronto media, complete with Kessel Faces and curt answers. The Penguins roster was in stitches for the entire ride downtown from Pearson International, as Zatkoff’s montage played over the entertainment system.

“He’s hysterical,” Penguins defenceman Ben Lovejoy said. “He talks all day long, but he bats about 90 per cent with his jokes. Most guys when they talk that much, they’re not funny. He rarely misses.”

Zatkoff’s lighthearted nature kept the Penguins calm this year, teammates said.

So it was no shock to them that Zatkoff, Pittsburgh’s surprise starter on Wednesday night, would be cool and collected against the New York Rangers.

When Game 1 ended with a 5-2 Penguins victory, the 18,588 inside ear-splitting Consol Energy Center were chanting “Zat-koff, Zat-koff!” for a third-string goaltender who backstopped a shutout through 43 minutes and somehow outlasted Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

Sidney Crosby chipped in three points, including an impressive breakaway snipe, and Patric Hornqvist netted a hat trick, but Zatkoff’s Stanley Cup playoff debut earned him Pittsburgh’s post-game warrior helmet in the dressing room.

“It definitely set chills through me a little bit,” Zatkoff said. “It was a special moment. It’s fun getting the job done at home.”

Game 2 of the best-of-seven Eastern Conference first-round series is Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh.

Lundqvist took a stick in the eye from teammate Marc Staal with 49 seconds to play in the first period. He writhed on the ice in pain but closed out the frame, not before allowing Pittsburgh’s first goal 31 seconds later. He didn't emerge from the locker room for the second period in a series where apparently no goaltender is safe.

Zatkoff said he was scraping the ice in his crease to warmup for the second period when he heard the announcement that Antti Raanta was suddenly in net.

“I thought maybe ‘Hank’ would come back,” Zatkoff said. “It’s scary getting (sticks) in the eye.”

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault did not offer an update on Lundqvist post-game. He termed Lundqvist as “day-to-day” and said Lundqvist will be reevaluated on Thursday. Lundqvist remained at the arena during the game and did not need to seek medical attention at a hospital.

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan played Vigneault for Game 1, who was expecting Marc-Andre Fleury to be in net. Sullivan informed Zatkoff on Tuesday night that he was starting, but put Fleury through his normal game-day paces to throw off New York’s preparation.

The gamesmanship went as far as not even icing would-be backup Tristan Jarry, a 20-year-old rookie who played with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings last year, for the morning skate.

“We didn’t want to reveal our plans and give our opponent an opportunity to prepare,” Sullivan admitted. “We try to put our players in the best position to succeed. Jeff did a terrific job. He is a great soldier. He played in some big games at key times this year and given us a chance to win. That’s exactly what he did tonight. I couldn’t be more happy for him.”

Sullivan did not say when Fleury may be able to return. He hasn’t played since March 31 when he reported his second concussion of the season.

“When we decide to play Marc-Andre in a game, we’ll let you know,” Sullivan said.

Burgeoning prospect Matt Murray supplanted Zatkoff in the Penguins’ pecking order in February. The Penguins tried to trade Zatkoff before the Feb. 29 deadline, but struggled to find takers. That was fine with Penguins GM Jim Rutherford, who had seen Cam Ward go down in playoffs past and wanted the extra netminder.

The only issue was Zatkoff didn’t have a net in practice. He needed to hit the practice ice a half hour before teammates most days just to get shots. Zatkoff did not dress in 20 consecutive games from Feb. 21 to March 31. Only Fleury’s injury allowed him back in uniform, then Murray’s freak injury on Sunday pressed Zatkoff into game action.

Zatkoff survived an early onslaught in his 36th career NHL appearance, including Pittsburgh being outshot 11-3 in the first period, even after the Penguins had the benefit of two power plays.

“To win in the playoffs, you need different guys contributing,” Crosby said. “He allowed us to get comfortable out there and get our game back.”

Lovejoy said the Penguins “wanted to do anything” to get Zatkoff the win because he is the “absolute best teammate anybody has ever played with.” The former Miami of Ohio goaltender, coached and recruited by current Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill, is self-deprecating and humble.

“He was really calm in the American (Hockey) League,” Zatkoff’s former Manchester Monarchs teammate Linden Vey said in a text message. “He was always played well in big games.”

Two summers ago, Zatkoff attended the Stanley Cup party for former college roommate and best friend Alec Martinez. The two played together dating back to midget hockey. Zatkoff admired the Cup, but never touched it. That is no joke.

It was one game, but Zatkoff brought the Penguins one game closer to one on Wednesday, after few even knew his name.

“This was a tough spot,” Sullivan said. “It’s funny how this game works. You never know when an opportunity is going to present itself.”

Contact Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @frank_seravalli