Minnesota Wild goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury had quite the special night on Friday and Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin somehow snuck his way into it.
Fleury was honored before the Wild’s game against his old team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, for recently playing in his 1,000th NHL game and leaping over Patrick Roy to become the second all-time winningest goalie in league history. Pregame, Fleury met up with some of his former Pens teammates and Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby came bearing a gift.
Crosby presented Fleury with a custom painting showcasing some of the netminder’s biggest career moments and memories. Among a sea of flowers and Penguins black and yellow, the scarlet red of Ovechkin’s iconic Capitals home jersey stuck out like a sore thumb.
A special gift for an amazing player, former teammate, and friend
pic.twitter.com/06dFSGEFAV
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 9, 2024
“That’s awesome, man,” Fleury said. “The old times, you know?”
Ovechkin, who has scored more goals on Fleury (27) than any other goaltender, is pictured getting robbed by the French Canadian backstop with a flashy glove save. Unfortunately, for Capitals fans, the exact moment being depicted will possibly bring back some haunting memories.
Robbed ovi of a sure goal in game 7 2009. Was asked specifically to add that. You can see Marc making the save right next to ovi.
— Cody Sabol (@codysabolart) February 10, 2024
With the Capitals and Penguins tied 3-3 in a 2009 second-round playoff series, Washington was on the attack early with the score still 0-0. Ovechkin, who had already scored 10 times in those playoffs, broke in all alone on Fleury and was stopped. The Penguins would go on to win that game 6-2 and take home the Stanley Cup two series later.
Cody Sabol, the Pittsburgh-based painter that the Pens commissioned for the project posted some full shots of his artwork.
Some of you have asked to see the Marc Andre Fleury painting in its entirety so here it is! pic.twitter.com/7o35eMqo9P
— Cody Sabol (@codysabolart) February 10, 2024
Fleury’s time with the Golden Knights, Blackhawks, and Wild are all also represented by the different masks that the future hall of famer has worn while a member of those clubs.
Before puck drop, the Wild held a ceremony for Fleury and his family where multiple tribute videos were shown and he received congratulatory words from former and current teammates as well as his three kids. He was also presented with additional gifts from the franchise.
Fleury’s wife Veronique and his two daughters Estelle and Scarlett were handed bouquets. Fleury himself received an engraved Tiffany crystal award, an engraved silver goalie stick, a $5,000 check to Fleury’s choice of charity, and a specially designed mask featuring the logos of each of the teams he has played on in his career.
During the game, Fleury stopped 34 shots as the Wild held on for a 3-2 victory over the Penguins. Crosby did score on his good buddy in the game but the Wild got a late goal from Kirill Kaprizov to seal the two points.
Fleury was named the first star of the game and awarded the Wild’s player-of-the-game Viking helmet.
The man of the hour with his helmet
#mnwild pic.twitter.com/LbX9Ivy5uU
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 10, 2024
“I’m happy it’s over,” Fleury said postgame. “I was a little nervous for it. I feel like I’ve gotten softer and softer with the years and then seeing my kids on the ice and on the jumbotron talking too. Old teammates. I don’t know, it gets me. Very grateful for the Wild organization and Penguins also for making this day so special for my family.”
Fleury has a 553-324-94 record, a 2.59 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage over his 20-season career in the NHL. The 39-year-old has three Stanley Cup rings all won with the Penguins, five All-Star selections, one Vezina Trophy, and one Jennings Trophy.
