Blooming Flower

Matt Aaron will always be a fan of Marc-Andre Fleury as long as keeps that incredible soul patch.

Marc-Andre Fleury has faced a lot of scrutiny in his seven year career (yes it’s been seven years already), but the first month of this season might have brought the most to the kid. An abysmal start (1-6 with a GAA well above 3) prompted critics to call the name Brent Johnson, who set the ice on fire early this season. Head Coach Dan Bylsma might have made some questionable decisions this year for the underachieving Pens, but he certainly handled the goaltender situation very well.

            The Flower has endured similar cold streaks in the past, but this one certainly shines brighter because it occurred at the very beginning of the season.. One of the biggest critiques of Fleury throughout the years is his tendency to give up a soft goal at inopportune times. He would usually counter that with a few highlight reel saves at the most opportune time. The difference early this year, he simply was not making the spectacular save, while still surrounding the iffy goal. Scott Gomez in the second game of the season and Teddy Purcell for the Lighting are two goals that stick out as spongy. MAF definitely was not giving up a helping of softies, but just was not making the saves that could counter into a game changing momentum switch. Dan Bylsma certainly made the correct decision in sitting him and riding out a steamy Brent Johnson for an extended period of time.

            Johnson, primarily a career backup, was giving the Penguins the best chance to win in the middle of October. When he struggled (specifically against Dallas and Boston), Fleury got his opportunity again and knew that he must seize it. This past week, bounces started going his way, the glove is working again and it looks like the Flower is back.

            Here is the point I want to make though. It is obviously Fleury’s job to lose, but if fans think it is a job that he cannot lose, they are mistaken. You do not need a “star” goaltender to win the Stanley Cup; you need a hot goaltender…big difference. MAF struggled immensely during the last postseason and if he hits a chilly slump come March, Brent Johnson will need to start warming up those black pads. Fleury fans also attempted to point out that MAF’s confidence level must be dropping when Johnson was getting the bulk of the starts. That is absolutely absurd and disrespectful to Fleury. He is a 25 year old grown man who faced harsh criticism as an 18 and 19 year old in the NHL and has faced similar cold streaks in his career. I’m certain that he did not feel any contempt or self-esteem issues when he was not playing. He understood the fact that he needs to play better.

            He seems to be getting into rhythm and a magnificent performance against the Canucks, (best team in the Western Conference?) was a beautiful site. The GAA is back under 3 and he is back to smiling and showing off the teeth that are as big as the boards behind him. The French Canadian goaltender is on track, which is fantastic news for Penguin fans….but then again, if the power play decides to never score again, it will not matter who is between the pipes.