On October 18th 2003, an 18-year old rookie named Marc-Andre Fleury earned his first NHL win against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings. Fleury would make 31 saves that night, and helped carry the overmatched Pittsburgh Penguins to their first win of the season by a 4-3 score.
Fast forward to last night, where Fleury would attempt to reach the 300 victory plateau against one of their biggest rivals, the Boston Bruins. Fleury did his part, stopping 27 shots and helping the Penguins to a hard fought 3-2 overtime victory.
Twelve years, 300 victories.
Simply getting a big win on the road against the vaunted Bruins might be enough to earn PSN Player of the Week honors, but to do something so special as to become the 31st goalie to join the 300 win club made this an easy decision.
Fleury’s accomplishment is even more special when you consider that only fellow Stanley Cup Champion goalies Jacques Plante, Andy Moog, and Martin Brodeur have reached 300 wins faster than Fleury, who did it in game number 547.
With Fleury signing a contract extension that should have him in Pittsburgh through the 2018-2019 season, it’s not out of the realm of possibilities that Fleury could push towards 500 wins. If he does, he would join only the great Brodeur (688) and Patrick Roy (551) as the only goalies to reach that incredible total.
Fleury will likely get his first chance at 301 wins when the Penguins host the Toronto Maple Leafs tomorrow night at 7 PM.
Congrats to Marc-Andre Fleury, PSN Player of the Week
