Fleury soaks in experience of setting Penguins' playoff wins record
Marc-Andre Fleury wasn't scheduled to make any playoff starts for the Pittsburgh Penguins this year.
Expected to serve as backup to Matt Murray, who backstopped the team to a Stanley Cup win in 2016, Fleury was pressed into action against the Columbus Blue Jackets when the incumbent fell prey to injury prior to the start of the postseason.
Four victories later, Fleury has set a club record for career playoff wins, passing Tom Barasso.
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped a playoff career-high 49 shots to earn his 57th career playoff win, a new #Pens record. Way to go, Flower! pic.twitter.com/x7YteuC8We
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 21, 2017
Fleury may not have many starts for the Penguins left in his future, depending when Murray is able to return, how far the team goes in the playoffs, and whether he's moved in the offseason, whether by trade or through the expansion draft.
As such, he's making sure to take it all in while he can.
"Once you realize you don't know what's coming for you, you just try to enjoy it," Fleury said after Game 5, per Wes Crosby of NHL.com.
"To be here at home, in front of our fans, and to be able to get that win ... I still get butterflies and goosebumps."
Fleury said he wanted to get that win in front of the fans because of how they've supported him throughout this year. #Pens
— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) April 21, 2017
Fleury's 57th playoff win came in his 105th appearance since 2007.