Fleury steals the spotlight as Crosby, McDavid face off

Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby each had an impact for their clubs during their Friday night tilt, but neither emerged as the true game-changer during the shootout affair.

Netminder Marc-Andre Fleury took those honors, turning aside 40-of-42 shots and coming up with more than a few exceptionally clutch saves in overtime to keep his team alive.

Twice during the extra frame, Edmonton seemed moments away from closing it out, with clear shots at open cages and clear-cut breakaways.

Pittsburgh's veteran netminder shut the door, however, at one point coming up with a timely stop on a wide-open Ryan Nugent-Hopkins:

He also stymied McDavid on a wide-open breakaway chance, keeping Pittsburgh's hopes for a win intact:

The 32-year-old stood tall in the shootout as well, quashing the Oilers' first two attempts from Leon Draisaitl and Mark Letestu. McDavid nearly brought his club back with a tally on Edmonton's third attempt, but it wasn't enough, as Crosby and Phil Kessel both converted to earn Pittsburgh the win.

Fleury's performance served as yet another piece of evidence that general manager Jim Rutherford was wise to keep him at the trade deadline, the veteran netminder putting on an exceptional display to keep Pittsburgh in the win column with starter Matt Murray taking the night off.

Given Edmonton's 42 shots, and a stellar effort by their young captain - McDavid finished with a power-play goal, a shootout tally, and nine total shots - it's fair to assume Pittsburgh may have been on the losing end of the tilt had they traded Fleury away, leaving them with a lesser back-up option.

Luckily for Crosby and Co., Rutherford stood pat, leaving Pittsburgh with a fighting chance even with Murray on the bench.