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Flower met with adulation in final start in Pittsburgh
October 30, 2024, 3:33 PM ET [50 Comments]
Ryan Wilson
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It was an emotional send off for the Flower last night in Pittsburgh. Marc-Andre Fleury played his last game in the NHL in the city he spent the majority of his career in. There was an outpouring of support for him, including the very familiar Fleury chants throughout the night.

Fleury was victorious in his final start against the Penguins as the Wild defeated the Penguins by a score of 5-3. The game itself was just another familiar chapter in the 2024-25 Penguins season where they can’t defend a lead or buckle down to defend at a basic level. They aren’t very good. Games like last night are the respite from focusing on the bad play. Marc-Andre Fleury provided a nice distraction. Any of the career milestones that happen will be a nice distraction. The day to day of the team is going to be a chore to deal with. So enjoy the nights like yesterday.

Both before and after the game Fleury’s former teammates wanted to take advantage of the occasion.



The Penguins did a really nice job with their Fleury content





After the game Flower was named the #1 star of the game and took a moment to skate over to Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby.



He then spoke directly to the fans.




My favorite in game moment with Fleury last night resembled one of my favorite all-time Fleury moments and he thought of the similarities as well



As for the Penguins on-ice happenings there was one positive last night. The Malkin-Crosby-Rakell line was very productive in its first showing. I don’t think that should come as too much of a surprise and I think there is potential for it to get better as Crosby and Malkin acclimate to playing with one another at even-strength. They controlled play as a unit



Sidney Crosby finished with three points and now has ten points in 11 games. He is back in the point per game pursuit after a dry spell. The Penguins are clearly not making the playoffs so this remains the most important task of the season. I say keep playing Malkin on his wing and assure it gets done.

Rickard Rakell scored twice and now has six goals in 11 games this season. Last year wasn’t great for him on the goal scoring front. Things are regressing back now that he is healthy. He is on a 45 goal pace on the season. I would continue to play him with Crosby and Malkin at even-strength to juice up his goal total. He may become a viable trade piece if the goals continue to come. He has three years remaining on his deal.

I’m over Matt Grzelcyk. He has the team’s worst xGF% on the season at 41.04. He isn’t a good fit for the team and the role they have him in. Selfishly, I am also over trying to remember how to spell his last name.

The Penguins will be back in action against Anaheim on Halloween. Perhaps the costumes in the crowd will be distraction enough from the Penguins defending. I leave you with this spooky stat



Thanks for reading!
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