Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves to earn his first shutout of the season, leading the Minnesota Wild to a 4-0 victory over the Canadiens on Thursday night in what is likely his final game in Montreal.
The 40-year-old Fleury, from Sorel-Tracy, about 50 miles northeast of Montreal, is retiring after this season. He now has 76 career shutouts, with three of them coming at Bell Centre, where over 100 of his friends and family cheered him on.
With this shutout, Fleury became the first goalie in NHL history to record a shutout as both a teenager and at 40 or older. His 76 career shutouts tie him with Tony Esposito and Ed Belfour for 10th place on the NHL’s all-time list.
“I was just hoping to not let in six,” Fleury said, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. “A little stressed, but so many people watching, I wanted to put on a good show so they could remember me playing well.”
Fleury was the standout of the night.
The crowd cheered for over 30 seconds when the camera turned to him during the singing of “O Canada.” Canadiens fans gave him another long ovation during a TV timeout late in the third period, chanting “Fleury! Fleury!” Montreal players lined up to shake his hand after the game.
Minnesota Wild (NHL)
“A little surprised, but it was very kind and very humbling for me that they stayed out there,” Fleury said. Liam Ohgren and Devin Shore each scored their first goal of the season. Marco Rossi added a goal and an assist, and Frederick Gaudreau scored an empty-net goal.
Gaudreau emphasized the importance of the game, knowing Fleury was playing near his hometown.
“Guys would have blocked shots with their face if they had to, honestly,” he said. “That’s how everybody felt about this game.”
The Wild improved to 3-0 on their five-game road trip, following wins over Chicago (4-2) and Toronto (3-1).
Marc-Andre Fleury, playing his final game in his home province, recorded his 76th career shutout as the visiting Minnesota Wild defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-0 on Thursday.
Fleury made 19 saves and tied Ed Belfour and Tony Esposito for the 10th-most shutouts in NHL history. The 40-year-old veteran, who has said this will be his last season, is the first goalie in NHL history to record a shutout as a teenager and at 40 years or older.
Marco Rossi and Frederick Gaudreau each had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who won their third game in a row. Liam Ohgren and Devin Shore added one goal each.
Jakub Dobes made 23 saves for the Canadiens, who have lost four straight games (0-3-1). It was Dobes’ first regulation loss in seven career appearances (5-1-1).
Jets 6, Bruins 2
Mark Scheifele capped a two-goal game with the eventual game-winner, and Wakefield, R.I., native Parker Ford scored in his NHL debut as the visiting Winnipeg Jets beat Boston.
Scheifele’s second goal, 35 seconds into the third period, marked his 328th career goal with the Jets, tying him with Ilya Kovalchuk for the most in franchise history. Nikolaj Ehlers and Vladislav Namestnikov each had a goal and an assist, Kyle Connor scored, and Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves for Winnipeg, which is on a five-game winning streak.
Elias Lindholm led the Bruins with a goal and an assist, while Brad Marchand also scored and added 14 penalty minutes. Joonas Korpisalo stopped 21 shots in Boston’s second consecutive loss and third in a five-game span (2-3-0).
Hurricanes 3, Blackhawks 2
Mikko Rantanen scored in his home debut for Carolina, which defeated Chicago in Raleigh, N.C.
Rantanen was playing in his third game since joining the team through a trade from the Colorado Avalanche. He had gone eight straight games without a goal. Seth Jarvis and Jaccob Slavin also scored for the Hurricanes. Juha Jaaska provided two assists. Pyotr Kochetkov made 18 saves as the Hurricanes extended their points streak to seven games (6-0-1).
Ilya Mikheyev and Connor Bedard scored for the Blackhawks, who lost for the fourth time in five games (1-2-2). Arvid Soderblom stopped 24 shots.
Red Wings 3, Oilers 2 (SO)
Lucas Raymond and Dylan Larkin scored in a shootout to help Detroit complete a comeback from a two-goal deficit and win in Edmonton.
Alex Lyon made 45 saves and denied Connor McDavid in the shootout. Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins missed the target in the shootout. Michael Rasmussen and Larkin scored in regulation for the Red Wings, who won their fourth straight game.
Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Leon Draisaitl and Jeff Skinner scored for the Oilers, who had their three-game winning streak end. Stuart Skinner stopped 32 shots.
Blue Jackets 2, Golden Knights 1 (OT)
Cole Sillinger scored on a rebound 52 seconds into overtime as Columbus rallied to win in Las Vegas.
Adam Fantilli also scored for Columbus, which moved ahead of the Boston Bruins into the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. Elvis Merzlikins made 25 saves for the Blue Jackets, who won for the third time in four games.
Tomas Hertl had the only goal for Vegas, which remained tied with Edmonton for first place in the Pacific Division. Samsonov stopped 22 of 24 shots.
Senators 5, Capitals 4 (OT)
Thomas Chabot scored at 1:46 of overtime, and Ottawa beat visiting Washington after giving up a two-goal lead in the third period.
Washington’s Alex Ovechkin scored career goal No. 876 to get within 19 of passing Wayne Gretzky for first place all-time. He also had two assists along with his 23rd goal of the season. Dylan Strome scored twice, and Connor McMichael had a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who had won seven of their previous eight games. Charlie Lindgren made 29 saves.
Josh Norris had a goal and two assists for the Senators, who have won three straight. Pinto, Chabot, and Jake Sanderson each had a goal and an assist, and Ridly Greig also scored. Anton Forsberg stopped 31 shots.
Flames 4, Ducks 1
Matt Coronato scored two goals for Calgary in a win against visiting Anaheim.
Adam Klapka scored his first goal of the season, Blake Coleman also scored, and Dustin Wolf made 30 saves for the Flames, who avoided losing three in a row for the first time since a four-game skid from Nov. 25-30.
Frank Vatrano scored short-handed for his 300th NHL point, and John Gibson made 26 saves for the Ducks, who had won three in a row.
Lightning 3, Kings 0
Brandon Hagel scored twice in a three-point game, Andrei Vasilevskiy recorded his third shutout of the season, and Tampa Bay blanked visiting Los Angeles.
The Lightning got goals from Hagel in the first and third periods, plus an empty-net goal from Anthony Cirelli to win for the second time in six games. Vasilevskiy stopped 28 shots and added an assist.
Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)
David Rittich made 30 saves as Los Angeles lost 3-0 for the second straight game. The Kings are 2-7-1 in their past 10 games and have lost nine straight at Tampa.
Islanders 3, Flyers 0
Ilya Sorokin made 23 saves, and Marc Gatcomb scored his first NHL goal as New York defeated Philadelphia.
Simon Holmstrom and Kyle Palmieri also scored for the Islanders, who have won six straight games. New York has allowed only seven goals during this streak.
Ivan Fedotov made 25 saves for the Flyers, who have lost four of their past five games.
Kraken 6, Sharks 2
Defenseman Brandon Montour scored twice, and Chandler Stephenson added a goal and two assists as Seattle defeated visiting San Jose.
Oliver Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen each had a goal and an assist, and Jaden Schwartz also scored for the Kraken, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Joey Daccord made 26 saves.
Carl Grundstrom and Tyler Toffoli scored for the Sharks, who lost for the seventh time in their past eight games. Yaroslav Askarov was pulled after allowing four goals on 11 shots. Alexandar Georgiev stopped 20 of 22 shots in relief.
The Minnesota Wild passed their first challenge without star forward Kirill Kaprizov and are aiming to keep that momentum going when they face the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night.
On Tuesday, the Wild announced that Kaprizov, who leads the team in goals (23), assists (29), and points (52), will miss at least four weeks after having surgery for a lower-body injury.
Despite his absence, the Wild secured a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, relying on strong team play, solid defense, and goaltending, with timely depth scoring.
“More often than not, we play a really strong team game,” said Minnesota coach John Hynes. “Tonight, we played a very structured game. … We had depth scoring, but I also think that those guys brought energy to the team. I think that the competitive level throughout the lineup was where it needs to be.”
The Wild have a 19-5-3 road record, leading the NHL in road wins and with the fewest regulation losses in the league.
In goal for Minnesota will be Marc-Andre Fleury, who grew up just an hour east of Montreal and will play in his final game in his home province of Quebec. Fleury, 40, has a 10-5-1 record this season, with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage. Over 100 of his family and friends will be at the game.
“Always feel such an honor to play on (the Canadiens’) ice,” Fleury said. “It’ll be very special, for sure.”
Patrik Laine- Montreal Canadiens
The Canadiens, meanwhile, are on a three-game losing streak and are eager to turn things around. They’ve been outscored 12-6 during their 0-2-1 slide, which comes after a 13-3-1 run that had them in the playoff race.
Montreal enters the game two points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
“It’s a key time,” said Canadiens center Jake Evans. “We can’t let the losses pile up and take us out of the race. It’s time for us to show that we can still be a playoff team.”
The Canadiens lost 4-1 to the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday, marking their longest losing streak since a six-game skid in October-November.
“I don’t want to say we’ve gotten away from a simple game, but I think we have maybe a little bit,” said defenseman Kaiden Guhle before the game against Winnipeg. “… I think that’s something we have to get back to. I don’t think we’ve gotten away from it totally, but I think it might have slipped just a tad.”
Unfortunately, Guhle will not be available to help Montreal get back on track. He suffered a lacerated left quadricep in Tuesday’s game and underwent surgery on Wednesday, with no timeline for his return.
Guhle has been a key player on defense, averaging 21:14 of ice time this season.
“When you lose a player like that, you don’t replace him with one player,” said Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis. “It’s our collective game that will help us get through this, so that’s what we will focus on.”
Matthews rushes the net and whips it past Johansson to put the Maple Leafs on the board in the 1st
On Wednesday, while Filip Gustavsson and Joseph Woll were the starting goalies for the Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs, a special moment took place with the backup goaltenders at Scotiabank Arena. Marc-Andre Fleury and Matt Murray met at center ice for a reunion, sharing the ice in NHL uniforms for what could be the last time in their careers.
Murray told, “It was just great to see him. I don’t get to catch up with him too much anymore. So whenever I do see him on the ice, we always say hi and just wish each other the best.”
Fleury, 40, announced before the season that this would be his last. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Wild, deciding to focus on his family and reflect on his incredible career. Fleury has expressed peace with his decision, knowing he has accomplished everything he hoped to in the NHL.
Meanwhile, Murray has been fighting for his place in the NHL after undergoing bilateral hip surgery that kept him out for the entire 2023-24 season. He made a return this year and is now the third goalie for Toronto, behind Woll and Anthony Stolarz, who is recovering from knee surgery.
Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)
It was a rare reunion for the two goalies who helped lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017. Murray said, “Obviously, we have a special bond with a couple of Stanley Cups together. Him being my first real mentor when I got to the league. So I owe a lot to him. He’s obviously a very lovable guy.”
When Murray started to outperform Fleury during his rookie season in 2015-16, it created a tough dynamic between the veteran Fleury and the rising star. Despite the challenge, Fleury remained professional, providing guidance that helped Murray succeed. Murray said, “He’s the best guy.
He was such a good part of why we’ve won those two years. He was so good to me in a tough situation for him, so I owe him a lot.”
After Murray’s success, they had to part ways when the Penguins could only protect one goalie in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Fleury was selected by the Golden Knights, where he helped lead the team to the Stanley Cup final in their first season.
The Minnesota Wild: Perennial playoff contenders, but can they ever become true Stanley Cup threats?
For years, the Minnesota Wild have struggled to shed the label of mediocrity. Despite flashes of promise and a loyal fan base, the franchise has been unable to take the next step toward becoming a true Stanley Cup contender.
The question remains: Are the Wild doomed to remain just another middle-of-the-pack NHL team, or is there still hope for a breakthrough?
A History of Consistency—For Better or Worse
Since their inception in 2000, the Wild have been a model of consistency—just not in the way their fans would prefer.
While they have regularly made the playoffs, deep postseason runs have been rare. Their best effort came in 2003 when they reached the Western Conference Finals, only to be swept by the Anaheim Ducks.
Since then, Minnesota has been trapped in a cycle of early playoff exits. They are good enough to compete but not elite enough to challenge for a championship.
This pattern has left many wondering whether they are simply destined to be an average team in a league where only the top contenders truly matter.
Roster Strengths and Limitations
Minnesota has built a respectable roster in recent years, anchored by superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov.
Good, but not great—can the Wild break free from NHL mediocrity?
His offensive talent and playmaking ability have provided a spark that the Wild have sorely lacked in the past. Alongside him, players like Joel Eriksson Ek and Mats Zuccarello offer solid support, and goaltender Filip Gustavsson has shown flashes of brilliance between the pipes.
However, despite their individual talent, the Wild struggle with depth issues and a lack of elite-level defense.
While their blue line features capable players such as Jared Spurgeon and Jonas Brodin, they have yet to establish a true shutdown pairing that can dominate in the postseason.
The lack of a true No. 1 center has also plagued the team, making it difficult for them to match up against elite squads like the Colorado Avalanche or Vegas Golden Knights.
Cap Struggles and Future Outlook
One of the biggest roadblocks for the Wild is their salary cap situation. The team is still dealing with the financial consequences of buying out Zach Parise and Ryan Suter’s contracts in 2021, which has limited their flexibility in adding key pieces to the roster.
These cap constraints have forced Minnesota to rely on younger players and bargain signings rather than acquiring high-impact talent.
That said, there is hope for the future. The Wild have a strong prospect pool, featuring players like Marco Rossi and Brock Faber, who could develop into crucial pieces of the team’s core. If these young players reach their potential, Minnesota could finally break free from mediocrity.
What’s Next for the Wild?
If the Wild want to move beyond their “just average” status, they will need to make bold decisions. Whether it’s making a blockbuster trade, finding a true top-line center, or adjusting their defensive strategy, something has to change for them to become a true contender.
For now, Minnesota finds itself stuck in the middle of the NHL pack—too good to rebuild but not quite good enough to win it all.
Unless they can make the necessary moves to take the next step, they may remain where they’ve been for years: a solid, respectable team, but not one that strikes fear into their opponents.
The Minnesota Wild have been an interesting team to watch in recent years. They have had some good seasons, but they haven’t managed to take that next step and truly contend for the Stanley Cup.
Despite having solid rosters and capable players, something always seems to hold them back when it matters most. So, what is the reason the Wild can’t seem to break through and get over that hump? Let’s take a closer look at what might be stopping them.
Lack of Consistency in the Postseason
The biggest challenge for the Wild has been their inability to maintain consistency when it counts – during the postseason.
They have made the playoffs multiple times, but they haven’t been able to push deep into the tournament. Often, their seasons end in the early rounds, leaving fans disappointed and players frustrated.
A major reason for this is the unpredictability of their performance in the postseason. At times, they have struggled to match the intensity and urgency that playoff hockey demands.
Teams that thrive in the playoffs usually have that ability to rise to the occasion, and unfortunately, the Wild haven’t been able to do that consistently.
Star Power and Scoring Struggles
One issue the Wild have faced for years is a lack of elite star power in their lineup. While the team has some strong players, they don’t have that one game-changing player who can carry the team when things get tough.
When the team faces better opponents with multiple superstars, they often fall short because they can’t compete at the same level.
In addition to the absence of a true superstar, the Wild also face scoring issues. For a team to go far in the playoffs, they need to have a potent offense that can put the puck in the net when needed.
However, the Wild have had trouble putting together a consistently strong offense. Their scoring tends to dry up when the pressure is on, and that can be a significant factor in their postseason failure.
Defense and Goaltending Inconsistencies
Defense is another area where the Wild have had their ups and downs. When their defense is solid, they can compete with the best teams.
But there have been times when they have allowed too many goals, especially against top-tier opponents who know how to exploit defensive weaknesses.
Minnesota Wild (NHL)
Goaltending has also been a key issue. While they have had solid goaltenders in recent years, the Wild have not consistently had a top-tier goalie who can steal games when needed.
Goaltending is one of the most important positions in hockey, and without a strong, reliable presence in net, it isn’t easy to win in the postseason.
Team Chemistry and Coaching Challenges
Another factor to consider is the chemistry within the team. Hockey is a sport where team chemistry plays a significant role in success.
The Wild have made changes to their roster over the years, bringing in new players and tweaking the lines, but sometimes it takes time for new players to mesh. The team has struggled to find a perfect balance, and that inconsistency in chemistry has hurt their performance.
Coaching has been another point of discussion for the Wild. While their coaches are competent, the team hasn’t been able to reach its full potential under their leadership.
There has been talk about whether the coaching staff is making the right decisions in terms of strategy and player deployment. In some cases, it’s possible that the team could benefit from a new voice or approach to unlock their full capabilities.
Tough Competition in the Division
The Wild also face tough competition within their division. The NHL’s Central Division has several strong teams, and Minnesota often finds themselves battling against top-tier squads like the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues.
This tough competition can make it harder for the Wild to not only win their division but also make deep playoff runs. With other teams improving each year, the Wild need to step up their game to keep pace.
The Future: Hope or Continued Struggles?
Looking ahead, the Minnesota Wild have some decisions to make. They have a solid foundation with talented players, but they need to find the right mix of star power, team chemistry, and consistent play to break through.
Whether they can improve in these areas remains to be seen, but the key will be finding ways to make their strengths shine when it matters most – in the postseason.
The road to success won’t be easy, but the Wild are at a crossroads. They have to decide whether to continue with their current strategy or make changes to take their team to the next level.
Fans in Minnesota are hoping that the team can finally break free of the struggles that have held them back and bring a championship to the state.
The Minnesota Wild are facing a challenging period with mixed roster updates. While Kirill Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon are set to return, Jonas Brodin and Marcus Johansson remain on injured reserve. These injuries have underscored weaknesses in the lineup, particularly in the forward group. The team is reportedly seeking a versatile forward who can play center and left wing before the NHL trade deadline. Minnesota native Brock Nelson has emerged as a potential target to fill these gaps and strengthen the team’s offensive capabilities.
Salary Cap Leaves Little Room for Flexibility
One of the Wild’s biggest obstacles is their tight salary cap situation. With only $100,242 in available space, acquiring Brock Nelson’s $6 million annual salary would require significant financial maneuvering. The New York Islanders would likely need to retain a large portion of his salary for a trade to work. Compounding the challenge is the Wild’s limited tradeable assets, as they have already dealt their 2025 first-round pick. Without additional flexibility or creative arrangements, making a significant move before the deadline remains difficult.
Brock Nelson (NHL)
Brock Nelson’s strong season makes him an attractive option for the Wild. The center has a career-high faceoff win rate of 53.7% and has contributed 13 goals and 15 assists in 46 games. His ability to control possession and play over 19 minutes per game would boost Minnesota’s offense. The Wild have struggled to score against top Western Conference teams, and Nelson’s presence could help overcome those challenges. His proven performance on both ends of the ice aligns well with the team’s immediate needs.
Trade Deadline Scenarios Remain Complicated
Although Nelson would be an impactful addition, acquiring him by the trade deadline is a long shot. The Islanders are known for holding onto players rather than trading them midseason. Moreover, a trade would likely require a first-round pick, a steep price for the cap-strapped Wild. A potential workaround could be a sign-and-trade agreement, where the Wild secure Nelson on a long-term deal while minimizing immediate financial strain. However, this would depend heavily on negotiations between the two teams.
If a midseason trade proves unfeasible, the Wild could pursue Nelson in free agency this offseason. With approximately $15 million in projected cap space, Minnesota has the financial means to make a competitive offer. Adding Nelson would address their need for offensive depth and align with their focus on incorporating local talent. While pursuing elite players like Mikko Rantanen remains unrealistic, targeting Nelson or other solid options like Brock Boeser could significantly enhance the Wild’s competitiveness in future seasons.
The Minnesota Wild have kept their team competitive all season despite facing multiple injuries to important players. Their lineup received a major boost on Thursday when star Kirill Kaprizov and team captain Jared Spurgeon were activated from injured reserve ahead of their game against Utah.
Kaprizov and Spurgeon Return
“They had a long road to get back and put in a lot of hard work, so it’s nice that they’re getting an opportunity to play,” coach John Hynes said after the team’s morning skate.
However, the Wild are still without defenseman Jonas Brodin, who is out for the seventh consecutive game with a lower-body injury, and left winger Marcus Johansson, who remains sidelined with a concussion for the third straight game.
Kaprizov’s Recovery
Kaprizov last played on Dec. 23 against the Chicago Blackhawks. He missed 12 games due to a lower-body injury that lasted longer than expected. The Wild took a cautious approach to bring back their top scorer and first-line left winger.
Before the injury, Kaprizov was among the league leaders in goals and points, and he was considered a legitimate MVP candidate. He had 23 goals and 27 assists in 34 games, still ranking 11th in goals despite his absence.
Minnesota Wild and Philadelphia Flyers
“I just try not to think about this. Now I am just happy to come back,” Kaprizov said. “I don’t play one month. I don’t think about points or something like that. I just want to feel good in the game.”
Managing Kaprizov’s Workload
Kaprizov’s biggest challenge might be learning to ease up when needed, as he is known for staying on the ice long after practice ends.
“He’s got to do what he needs to do to get himself ready and prepared, but then as the season goes on, sometimes you need to maybe tweak some of those things like that,” Hynes said. “That’s not necessarily my department. It’s him with the trainers and the strength coach and things like that. Nothing major, just make sure he’s feeling good and prepared to play but also making sure that he’s managing himself.”
Spurgeon’s Injury and Return
Spurgeon missed nine games with a lower-body injury, which he revealed on Thursday involved both his ankle and knee. The 15th-year veteran defenseman was injured on Dec. 31 when Nashville Predators forward Zachary L’Heureux took him down with a slew-foot move, which earned L’Heureux a three-game suspension.
Spurgeon, speaking for the first time since the injury, did not comment specifically on the play. After being limited to only 16 games last season due to hip and back injuries, Spurgeon had been healthy and playing well until this latest setback.
“That was the most frustrating part, just having to go back in the gym and doing the same stuff all over again. It brings back some bad memories,” Spurgeon said.
Quick Recovery and Team Impact
The Wild were relieved that Spurgeon’s injury was not as serious as initially feared, as his awkward crash into the boards raised concerns about a season-ending injury.
“His work ethic was unbelievable. I thought he might’ve been back like a week earlier just watching him off the ice and in the gym with the work he put in,” Hynes said.
“All those leadership things that he brings are great to have and missed when he’s not in the lineup, then obviously what he brings on the ice, the way that he can play and what he means to our team in those situations. It’s great to have him back.”
Matt Boldy scored in the second round of the shootout, leading the Minnesota Wild to a 4-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
Boldy bounced back after hitting the post late in overtime, firing a shot past Charlie Lindgren in the shootout. Marc-Andre Fleury sealed the victory by stopping Alex Ovechkin with a glove save to end the game.
Ovechkin, however, scored on the power play, increasing his career goal total to 871, just 24 goals behind Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record.
Ovechkin’s goal, a snap shot from above the left circle, tied the game 2-2 with 4:52 left in the second period. It was his 28th goal in 47 regular-season games against Fleury, his most against any goalie.
Tom Wilson and Martin Fehervary also scored for the Capitals, and Lindgren made 30 saves, but Washington’s four-game home winning streak ended.
Ryan Hartman scored a goal and added an assist for the Wild, while Marco Rossi and Yakov Trenin also scored, with Trenin’s goal coming while his team was shorthanded.
Washington Capitals (NHL)
Fleury stopped 28 shots for the Wild, who have won four of their last five games and improved to 6-0-1 in their last seven meetings with Washington.
Fehervary gave the Capitals a 3-2 lead at 5:34 of the third period with a slap shot from above the left circle that beat a falling Fleury, who had tripped over the skate of Minnesota defenseman Travis Dermott.
Rossi tied the game with 8:41 left in the third period, deflecting a shot and cleaning up a rebound on the doorstep.
Lindgren lost his stick behind the net while trying to pass the puck past a charging Trenin. The puck deflected off Trenin’s body, and he skated out in front to score, giving the Wild a 2-1 lead with 53 seconds left in the first period.
Wilson opened the scoring for Washington at 10:19 of the first period by cleaning up a rebound. The Wild responded quickly, with Hartman deflecting Zach Bogosian’s shot from the point past Lindgren just 65 seconds later.
Alex Ovechkin took another step toward breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record by scoring his 871st goal against Marc-Andre Fleury on Thursday night.
The Washington Capitals captain beat Fleury on a power play in the second period during a game against the Minnesota Wild. However, Fleury got the last laugh by denying Ovechkin in the shootout, helping the Wild secure the win.
“He got a goal in the game already, so that was enough,” Fleury joked after the game.
Ovechkin has scored on Fleury 28 times in 47 games over the years, with most of those goals coming when Fleury was with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This makes Fleury the goalie Ovechkin has scored on the most, out of the 178 different goalies he has faced in his career.
“I don’t like getting scored on by him, but I love the battle over the years,” Fleury said, acknowledging that Ovechkin has scored on him more than any other goalie. “Yeah, I’ve heard that a few times.”
Fleury is also the goalie Ovechkin has faced the most, with 241 shots out of Ovechkin’s total of 6,708.
Alex Ovechkin celebrates the goal with his teammates in the 2nd period
“It’s 20 years we play against each other,” Ovechkin said. “It’s always fun. It’s always a challenge. He’s one of the best goalies out there, and it’s a huge challenge for me to play against him.”
With 40.8 seconds left in the second period, Ovechkin skated over to Fleury after the whistle and joked, “I need one more.”
“You already get one,” Fleury responded, as the two shared a laugh.
Ovechkin’s goal put him 24 goals away from breaking Gretzky’s all-time record of 894. At 39 years old, Ovechkin has 18 goals this season and three in four games since returning from a broken left fibula. He is on pace to reach 895 and possibly beyond this spring.
“I feel fortunate I was able to play in this time,” Fleury said. “He probably owes me a few things for scoring so many goals on me. I helped it out pretty good. I’m glad I got to face him. He’s one of the best and always brings the best out of you.”
With Fleury playing in what may be his final season, this could be Ovechkin’s last goal against him. However, the Capitals are set to visit the Wild again on March 27.
“We still got one more game, so I don’t want to get too cocky too early,” Fleury added.
Alex Ovechkin shoots the puck in the 1st period
The only other active goalie close to Ovechkin’s list is fellow Russian Sergei Bobrovsky, with 16 goals allowed. Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist has allowed 24, while Carey Price has given up 22.
Despite giving up another goal to Ovechkin, Fleury secured his 28th career win against the Capitals. Washington’s Tom Wilson, who also scored and had another goal disallowed, praised Fleury’s legacy.
“When he’s gone, the game will miss him,” Wilson said. “He’s fun to have in the league. He’s a heck of a goalie. We’ve had a lot of battles against him. I think ‘O’ and him, you see them smiling back and forth. Game respects game. It’s fun to see two all-time legends going at it and having a front-row seat to that.”
The Wild were also happy to help Fleury end his U.S. capital game on a high note.
“I know with Flower, he’s played a lot of games in this building and against this team,” said forward Ryan Hartman, who scored for the first time since Nov. 19. “It always seems like it’s a good battle whenever he’s here, and I think sometimes games like this mean a lot to him.”
The Washington Capitals face a tough challenge in their quest for a fifth straight home win when they host the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
Washington, which will play four of its next five games at Capital One Arena, has an impressive 12-4-2 record at home this season.
On the other hand, the Wild have the best road record in the NHL at 13-3-3. They have won three of their last four games, including a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.
The Capitals, meanwhile, earned their fourth win in their last six games with a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday.
“There’s going to be points throughout the year where you’re grinding,” said Washington defenseman Jakob Chychrun, who scored a goal and has 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in his last 17 games.
“It’s just finding ways of picking each other up if we don’t have our best stuff. We’ve got guys in here who have won and played a long time in this league. You lean on those guys in those moments, and this group is always sticking together and pulling in the same direction, and I think you see it. It’s evident that the boys love each other in this room.”
Aliaksei Protas scored two goals, and Logan Thompson made 26 saves to improve to 15-2-2 on the season.
Washington captain Alex Ovechkin saw his goal-scoring streak end at four games. This run had followed a long absence due to a broken left leg. The three-time Hart Trophy winner now has 870 career goals, just 25 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record.
Minnesota Wild players celebrate after a goal
Ovechkin has 37 points (19 goals, 18 assists) in 23 career games against the Wild.
Despite Ovechkin’s personal success against Minnesota, the Wild have been strong recently, going 5-0-1 in their last six meetings with the Capitals.
In their win on Tuesday, Minnesota’s Marco Rossi scored two goals and added an assist, while Mats Zuccarello and defenseman Jonas Brodin each had one goal and one assist. The Wild went 3-for-6 on the power play.
“Yeah, I thought it was a really good effort,” said Wild coach John Hynes. “When it comes down to it, both special teams were really good, goaltending was excellent, and … the competitive nature of our team (on Tuesday) was at the level you need to win consistently. So, I really give the guys a lot of credit. (They) dug in and found a way to win.”
Kirill Kaprizov, who leads the Wild in goals (23), assists (27), and points (50), is dealing with a lower-body injury and was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday.
Captain Jared Spurgeon, a defenseman, is expected to have an MRI after being injured in a slew-foot by Nashville’s Zachary L’Heureux, who took Spurgeon’s legs out from under him and sent him into the boards.
Minnesota is expected to call up defenseman Carson Lambos from the American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild. The first-round pick from the 2021 NHL Draft could make his NHL debut if he steps onto the ice.
Marco Rossi scored two goals and added an assist, leading the Minnesota Wild to a 5-3 victory over the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Mats Zuccarello and Jonas Brodin each had a goal and an assist for the Wild, who won three of their last four games. Declan Chisholm also scored for Minnesota.
Colton Sissons, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly scored for Nashville.
Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson made 43 saves on 46 shots, improving his record to 17-6-3 this season. Predators goalie Justus Annunen allowed five goals on 38 shots.
Chisholm gave Minnesota the lead at 2:52 of the second period with a power-play goal. He took a slap shot that sailed over Annunen’s glove and into the net, putting the Wild ahead 4-3.
Rossi scored again on the power play at 12:53 of the third period to extend Minnesota’s lead to 5-3. He was parked in front of the net and knocked in a loose puck.
Nashville Predators (NHL)
The Wild took the lead early, with Rossi scoring a deflection goal 7:54 into the game. Zuccarello fired a shot from the left circle, and Rossi tipped it in for the first goal.
Sissons tied the game at 1-all just 3:06 later. He tipped in a slap shot from Brady Skjei, which came from near the blue line.
Nashville went ahead 2-1 with 4:46 left in the first period when Marchessault scored on a one-timer after the Wild turned the puck over in their own zone.
Zuccarello tied the game at 2 with a power-play goal at 13:41 of the second period. Joel Eriksson Ek made a great pass to Zuccarello, who scored from in front of the net.
Minnesota regained the lead at 3-2 when Brodin scored a long shot through traffic with 11:03 left in the second. Annunen couldn’t track the puck in time.
The game remained tight, and Nashville’s O’Reilly scored to make it 3-3 with 7:59 remaining in the second period. It was his second goal in the last four games.
