What a memorable night it was for Marc-André Fleury and the Chicago Blackhawks. Playing in his 901st career NHL game, Fleury posted a 30-save shutout against the Montreal Canadiens, his favorite childhood team, in Quebec, his home province in Canada, to earn his 500th career win.
In doing so, he also records his 69th career shutout and second as a Blackhawk this season. Following the 2-0 win, the Montreal crowd chanted for Fleury as the clock wound down and his Chicago teammates mobbed him following the final horn.
What a moment! Win #500 for his career#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/LX3JzOTJQK
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) December 10, 2021
Fleury now joins fellow Québécois goaltenders Patrick Roy and Martin Brodeur as the only three goaltenders to reach the 500-win mark in NHL history. Winning game number 500 in his 901st career game, Fleury reaches the historic plateau the fastest out of the three goaltenders.
https://twitter.com/PR_NHL/status/1469132999367307264?s=20
It took convincing to get Fleury to play this season in Chicago. Without him and his play over his last ten starts, recording a 7-3-0 record with a .938 save-percentage and two shutouts, the Blackhawks would not be in the position they are this season. Sure, it’s not like they are in a playoff spot, but it could and would be much, much worse without him.
https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1469135478939168774?s=20
You can tell he is appreciated in the locker room too. You love to see a guy like Fleury have this kind of success and this kind of moment. Hopefully there will be more before his time in Chicago is over.