Emotional reunion between Fleury and Crosby before tonight’s game

This is an emotionally day for Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, and it consequently is for his former teammates of the Pittsburgh Penguins, his opponents tonight. The veteran netminder is honored with a pregame ceremony for reaching 1,000 games, which he achieved on Dec. 31. He moved into sole possession of second place on the NHL’s all-time wins list in mid-January with his 552nd victory, only trailing Martin Brodeur (691) in that category.

This is also the final game between Pittsburgh and Minnesota this season, and unfortunately it could be Fleury’s last chance to face the team that selected him fifth overall in 2003. He is currently in the final season of a twp-year deal he sign with the Wild.

Penguins’ captain, former teammate and buddy Sidney Crosby wanted to get Fleury something special for this milestone and made sure to reunite with the goalie ahead of tonight’s game. Crosby offered Flower a beautiful painting of what the netminder called “the good old days”.

“He’s had quite the career,” Crosby said, per NHL.com. “Another milestone. It’ll be nice to celebrate with him.”

“…I think you just try to remember the great moments. Obviously, this will be a special one if that’s the case (Fleury’s last game against the Penguins). So yeah, I think in times like that, you reflect a little bit and then I think you look back at the great memories that you had.”

Defenseman and fellow Quebecois Kris Letang came to congratulate his friend, finding it hard to believe that he had already dressed for more than 1000 NHL games.

The trio then chatted in French with Crosby wishing Fleury good luck for their game, but especially to have fun.

I know it could be the end of Fleury’s career this summer, but I really don’t want to think about the beloved goalie leaving the NHL. I still love thinking about his time in Pittsburgh, where he played his first 13 seasons and won three Stanley Cup championships: 2009, 2016 and 2017.

For now, Fleury remains undecided about his future, and will certainly live in the moment as he celebrates with teammates, former ones and fans Fleury Night later tonight.

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