After 13 seasons and three Stanley Cups with the Penguins, Marc-Andre Fleury is now minding net for the West-leading Golden Knights. Tuesday was Fleury’s return to Pittsburgh for the first time since departing about as amicably as these things go, and it was an emotional night for everyone.
During the game’s first stoppage the Penguins honored Fleury with a tribute video, and he raised his stick to a standing ovation from the crowd:
Fleury, who received his Cup ring in a private ceremony before the game, splashed water on his face at the beginning of the tribute, perhaps in a (failed) attempt to mask the tears. “I got goosebumps,” Fleury said.
But the Penguins got the better of the game, beating Vegas 5-4 in an off-night for Fleury and an uncharacteristically sloppy showing from Golden Knights skaters. “Now I get to see what the other goalies face all these years,” Fleury said.
You know, it’s not far out of the realm of possibility that these two teams could meet in the Finals. Which would be a fun and fascinating matchup for a bunch of reasons, now that I think about it.