It will be extra special tonight when “The Flower” laces up the skates and puts on the goalie pads one last time at PPG Paints Arena. Former Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is expected to get the start for the Minnesota Wild against his old team. The 39-year-old Fleury has already announced that this will be his final season.
Coach Mike Sullivan says Fleury is a great talent but also has a special ability to change the atmosphere just walking into a room.
The Penguins will be trying to break a five-game losing streak tonight, which is especially frustrating because they have had a lead in four of those games. He says they have to respond better whether they have just scored or just been scored upon.
At practice yesterday, Sullivan paired up Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin on a line, hoping for some sort of offensive firepower. He tried it several times on the recent road trip and liked the chemistry.
Fleury says he will have to control his emotions tonight.
Crosby says Fleury is a tremendous player and friend.
Defenseman Kris Letang says Fleury brings a lot of credibility to a locker room and to a goaltender’s crease.
Forward Matt Nieto was a full-contact practice participant yesterday for the first time since he suffered a knee injury in a game on November 30th last year. That injury required surgery on his right knee and during his rehab, he injured his left knee, requiring reconstructive surgery in May.
Forward Bryan Rust watched practice in street clothes and will likely miss tonight’s game after suffering an upper body injury on Saturday in Vancouver.
Tonight’s game faces off shortly after 7 o’clock. The pregame airs on 92.5 FM U92 at 6.
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