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It was an emotional night for Marc-Andre Fleury as he returned to Pittsburgh Penguins for what's expected to be his final appearance at the PPG Paints Arena.
On Tuesday, the former Penguins goalie received a heartfelt welcome from fans, who cheered his name and waved posters while wearing jerseys emblazoned with his iconic No. 29.
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The atmosphere intensified as Fleury took his position in the opposing net for the Minnesota Wild, and the crowd erupted when his face appeared on the jumbotron. After the game, Penguins veterans Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang remained on the ice to share a final moment with Marc-Andre Fleury.
However, fans quickly noticed Evgeni Malkin's absence as Marc Andre-Fleury exited the ice alongside Crosby and Letang, who stood to bid him farewell. Here's how fans on X/Twitter reacted as Crosby and Letand paid their respect to Fleury.
One tweeted:
"No Malkin. Ouch."
Another chimed in:
"Classy move by Crosby and Letang, wish malkin came out."
Here are some of the other top reactions on X:
"We are all lucky to have grown up watching flower play. He is one of the greats, and one of the kindest souls. Hockey is going to miss him," one X user noted.
"Fleury never played for my team but I love the guy! Everything I have seen about him is he is a good person off the ice too! Really sweet seeing what they did for him tonight!" another user chimed in.
"Classy tribute. You don't get that in other sports," said one.
"I’m assuming the Flower and Malkin weren’t close?" another chimed in.
The night also included a picture-perfect moment of Marc-Andre Fleury in the center, surrounded by Malkin, Crosby and Letang.
The emotional Tuesday night at the PPG Paints Arena concluded with Fleury being named the #1 star of the game, a fitting tribute to his legendary career in Pittsburgh.
Marc-Andre Fleury marks his final appearance in Pittsburgh with win
Fleury helped the Minnesota Wild secure two points against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the PPG Painst Arena in his final appearance. The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer netminder started between the sticks for the Wild and conceded three goals and made 26 saves with a .896 SV%.
Marc-Andre Fleury was drafted No. 1 by the Penguins in the 2003 NHL draft. He played for 13 seasons with the club and helped them win Stanley Cups in 2009, 2016 and 2017.
He's in his 21st season in the NHL and has indicated that the 2024-25 campaign will be his last.
