Marc Andre Fleury was done. Gone traded out of the hearts and minds of Pittsburgh. Until he saved the franchises playoff run this year in spectacular fashion.
It started with an injury which is ironic considering Fleury was nearly replaced through an injury. Matt Murray was injured almost as soon as he stepped on the ice in game 1 vs Columbus. A lower body inury, the typical playoff bluff of an NHL team. So into the spotlight stepped Marc Andre Fleury, in game one stopping 31 shots and giving Pittsburgh the win. Through the series Fleury was outstanding with a GAA of around 2.
Well Pittsburgh’s scoring has been the major story of this post season without Fleury the Penguins would have been knocked out in the first round and even if they would have survived Columbus Washington would have ripped them to bits. Through his entire career Fleury has been criticized as a playoff choker, most of the time he has been, but no more. Fleury has now written a different legacy, almost, if he can survive the Senators he will always be known as the hero who steered the pens to the cup finals.
If he loses though it will not be as great. In that case Marc Andre will be known as the guy who choked a cup repeat away from the city of champs and that he should have been replaced with Matt (Murray). So against the Senators its more than a repeat cup chance on the mind of Marc Andre Fleury it’s his future in Pittsburgh and maybe more importantly his legacy in the steel City.