Fleury to play last career game against Penguins

When it comes to Pittsburgh legends of the 21st century, sometimes it's easy to forget Marc-Andre Fleury, who was poached by Pittsburgh in the expansion draft by the Vegas Golden Knights back in 2017 - which was almost a decade ago, good gosh.

Perhaps this is an indicator that part of one's legacy is his time with the same team. Biz continues to babble about Crosby leaving, but I'd argue that would hurt his legacy more than it helps it.

Fleury had no choice in leaving Pittsburgh, but the all-time great goalie will make his final appearance against the Penguins this afternoon as a member of the Minnesota Wild.

Fleury's Legacy in Black and Gold

Only three goalies in the history of the NHL have been drafted first overall: Fleury in 2003, Rick DiPietro in 2000, and Michel Plasse in 1968.

Out of those three: Fleury is the only one to truly live up to his selection slot. Not only that, but MAF will go down as one of the greatest, most decorated goalies in NHL history.

Fleury's accolades include having his name on the Stanley Cup three times (2009, 2016, and 2017) all with the Penguins, the 2nd most games in NHL history (1046), 2nd all-time in wins (573), and an overall 573-337-97 record over the course of 21 seasons in the NHL with a .912 career SV%.

Additionally, he won a Vezina trophy with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2021 and nearly willed them to a championship in the first year of their existence back in 2018, being arguably the best goalie in the playoffs that year with a ridiculous .927 SV% and four shutouts.

Those numbers are very telling of his elevation in the playoffs. In 107 playoff starts for the Penguins, Fleury logged a .908 SV% with a 62-51 record. And if you need video proof of Flower stepping up when it mattered most, here's perhaps the highlight of his illustrious career.

Predictions for The Final Flower

Fleury has always been known as a jokester. He always has something up his sleeve when it comes to playing tricks on people, especially his former Penguins teammates.

With the Penguins dead in the water and the Wild in a playoff position (albeit them needing to keep pace with the frantic Central division), Fleury can do one of two things: pitch a shutout or craftily try to sabotage the Penguins' tank.

His SV% has improved this year with Minnesota from last year, and he's got a 12-7-1 record this season. He can do one or the other, so here's what we think will happen.

Prediction: Fleury stops the first 21 shots, then "let's in" a few to give the Penguins a crack at overtime. Then, Flower stops a few high danger shots that leads to a Wild overtime winner. Fleury cackles in the background - always inevitable, always on top.

As of the release of this article, Fleury has not been confirmed as the Wilds' starter. But if they don't, then they'll officially be placed on the Penguins' blacklist. Don't make this mistake, Minnesota, you've already made it once before...