PHILADELPHIA | Sidney Crosby invites the author of these lines into a hallway at the Wells Fargo Center. After a 4-1 win over the Flyers, Crosby experienced a rare media break with his Pittsburgh colleagues, but quickly said yes to an interview request regarding his former Penguins teammate Marc-André Fleury.
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Immediately after the standard greeting, Crosby asks the first question: “Did you see the score on the Wild game?”
The Wild lost 1-0 to the Dallas Stars on Monday night at 9:45 p.m. Fleury and the Wild will end up suffering a 4-0 loss. The 552nd victory is a long time coming.
Crosby knows the numbers. The Penguins captain knows full well that Fleury is on the verge of overtaking Patrick Roy for second place in wins history. That's why he wanted to know the status between the Stars and the Wild.
“I haven’t texted Flower yet, I’m waiting at 552,” Crosby said. But I can’t wait to talk to him.”
The same goes for Kristopher Letang, who met a few minutes earlier in the opposing team's locker room at Wells Fargo.
“No, I haven’t texted Flower yet. He has to reach 552. He hadn't done anything yet, he said, smiling. I don't think he'll want to remember later that he was tied with Roy at 551. He wants to overtake him.”
A lover of his sport
Crosby and Letang won the Stanley Cup three times with Fleury (2009, 2016 and 2017). They bonded forever.
“I know how much he loves hockey,” Crosby said. He has reached the 1000 game mark and is about to overtake Roy. It's so hard to do that. A few years ago he played more than 60 games per season. It takes a lot of energy. He’s managed to stay healthy, he’s like a slinky.”
“I’m really happy for him,” Letang added. He's a guy who hasn't had it easy either. There were organizational decisions that affected his career. He started what he built from scratch. He always brings a great dynamic to a locker room.”
The ideal teammate
We have written about it many times. Whether in Pittsburgh, Vegas, Chicago or Minnesota, Fleury is always loved by his teammates.
“He comes into the arena with a smile, he always stays so positive, even the day after an 8-2 loss or after a big win,” said Letang. He just wants to work. There is no identical player on a team, but it helps when you have a personality like Flower.
In another era, Crosby always traveled with Fleury as a neighbor on the Penguins' charter plane.
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“I always had fun with him, he has an infectious energy,” he replied. When you see his big smile, you can't help but smile. That doesn’t change with age.”
“He has a great attitude. He works hard but always has fun. It lightens the mood. He's a great teammate, he wants the best for everyone, but he also always prepares very well. He wants to be the best player he can be. He has a big heart.
The mustard
Fleury earned his 551st victory last Saturday in a 4-3 overtime win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The number 29 pulled off a stunning performance in extra time after a strike from Yegor Chinakhov.
“I didn’t see his glove throw against Columbus, but Letang told me about it,” Crosby said. And this time he didn't add too much mustard. I've seen him make spectacular glove saves so many times. But he also had a gift for showmanship with a little mustard. I asked in Tangier [Letang] if it was a really big glove rescue. He told me yes.”
The Wild will play their next game on Friday in St. Paul against the Philadelphia Flyers. If he starts, Fleury will have a second chance at his 552nd victory.