The Winnipeg Jets defeated the Minnesota Wild 3-2. The Jets continue to rise the Central Division standings while the nightmare season is continuing for the Wild.
Ahead of the loss, however, there was a bit of excitement in the air. Marc-Andre Fleury took a solo lap for warmups because he was skating in his 1000th career game.
The first 691 of those games were spent with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Those were followed by 192 games played with the Vegas Golden Knights. After that, he played in 45 games for the Chicago Blackhawks before these last 72 with the Minnesota Wild.
No matter where he has gone since becoming the number one pick of the 2003 NHL Draft, he has found success. Over his career, he has won the Jennings Trophy, and the Vezina Trophy and has been a Stanley Cup champion three times.
Marc-Andre Fleury is one of the best goalies who ever played hockey
He is 550-320-93. Those 550 wins rank third all-time. He only trails second-place Patrick Roy by one though as he had 551. He will tie and break that record this season. It is unlikely that he will catch Martin Brodeur's record of 691.
We don't know if this will be his last season in the NHL but it has been a marvelous ride regardless of what happens. Fleury will go down as one of the greatest goalies who ever lived.
He will also go down as one of the nicest human beings to ever walk this earth. He has been a tremendous player in his career but it pales in comparison to the person and teammate that he's been off the field.
It is tough that the Wild are having his kind of a season but Fleury very well could be dealt to a contender at the deadline. A lot of teams might be in line for his services if he is made available. It will ultimately be up to him.
Reaching 1000 games played as a goalie is very impressive. It means you were durable, good, and played for a long time. Fleury has been everything expected of him and more. Congrats to him.