PITTSBURGH — Marc-Andre Fleury is set to take the ice for one last game at PPG Paints Arena, where he made significant contributions during his career. The veteran goaltender will don his gear for the final time at this venue as the Minnesota Wild go head-to-head with the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
Fleury spent over a decade with the Penguins, where he played a crucial role in helping renowned teammates like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang secure Stanley Cup victories in 2009, 2016, and 2017. His tenure with the franchise ended when he was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights during the expansion draft. Now, at 39 years old, Fleury has announced his intention to retire after this season, which makes this return to Pittsburgh particularly poignant, as it’s likely his last appearance as an active player. The former Vezina Trophy winner has mentioned that he anticipates feeling a surge of emotions before the game begins.
“I think I’ll take a moment to breathe and soak in the atmosphere, looking around to cherish the memories,” Fleury reflected. “I’ve been fortunate to have such a long career here, and I have memorabilia from this place, so it will be nice to experience it one last time.”
After helping the Golden Knights reach the Stanley Cup final in 2018, Fleury now serves as a backup goalie for Filip Gustavsson in Minnesota. He has performed decently in his recent appearances, achieving a record of 1-0-1, coupled with a goals against average of 2.89 and a .900 save percentage.
Returning to Pittsburgh has always been a unique experience for Fleury, especially considering he was the first overall pick by the franchise in 2003 during a chaotic period when the team was on the brink of relocating. Fast forward more than twenty years, and Pittsburgh is now one of the premier franchises in the NHL, with Fleury holding the record for the most wins in their history at 375.
“Winning is the priority for me,” Fleury stated. “I want to give a good performance and entertain the fans one last time here.”
The Penguins themselves are currently facing challenges, having lost their last five games. Following a tough road trip across western Canada, their performance was noticeably lacking.
Sidney Crosby has acknowledged that seeing Fleury’s familiar No. 29 in the opposing net will serve as added motivation, although he emphasized that his team doesn’t necessarily need extra incentives as they work to shake off the early-season slump. Crosby remains connected with Fleury, referring to him as a “great friend.”
“We grew up in the league together, figuring things out as we went along,” Crosby noted. “He’s very important to me and the organization, and I believe the fans feel that way as well.”
With the Penguins sitting at 15th place in the 16-team Eastern Conference, they could certainly benefit from some of the positive energy Fleury is known for.
“Fleury is great at focusing on the positives,” Crosby acknowledged. “He maintains high standards for himself but always manages to keep the atmosphere light and enjoyable, trying to strike that balance.”