Faceoff Factor

"Flower" Blooms With Spring

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Apr 28, 10:46 AM | Hype this story!

For most of his young career, Marc-Andre Fleury had been labeled an underachiever who couldn’t handle the pressure of being a starter.

Whether or not this was fair — especially considering his young age — is a moot point now, as the “Flower” has blossomed into one of the NHL’s top goaltenders virtually overnight.

Anyone who watched this 23-year-old, who at the trade deadline gave up his title of the youngest starting goaltender in the NHL, knew the talent was there. The question simply was, “Is he mentally tough enough?”

That question, without a doubt, has been answered, and most of his critics certainly have come around.

And how could they not?

Let’s take a look at Fleury so far in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Against the eight remaining starting goaltenders, Fleury is…

• first in wins (6), tied with Marty Turco
• second in save percentage (.944), behind only Chris Osgood (.947)
• second in goals-against avaregae (1.50), behind only Osgood (1.09)
• first in shutouts (2), tied with Carey Price

Not too bad for someone many people were more than ready to give up on.

But let’s take this a step further. James Mirtle put together a piece outlining regular season situational goaltender statistics for the eight remaining starting goaltenders through the means of Behind The Net.

Not surprisingly, Fleury is at or near the top in almost every category.

• 5-on-5 GAA per 60 mins: first (1.83)
• 5-on-5 goals-for avg. per 60 mins: first (2.64)
• 5-on-5 save percentage: first (.934)
• Penalty kill GAA per 60 mins: seventh (6.55)
• Penalty kill save percentage: eighth (.841)

Obviously, the second statistic has little to do with his play and everything to do with an offensive juggernaut in front of him, but the last two stats also have something to do with a poor group of penalty killers prior to the trade deadline, when Hal Gil, Pascal Dupuis and Marian Hossa were added to the mix.

What all of this boils down to is that Fleury has arrived as a legitimate starting goaltender who is more than capable of leading the Penguins to the Stanley Cup.

He is oozing confidence, even after a shaky performance in game one against the Rangers.

Make no mistake about it, this is a new and improved Fleury, one who has been a huge part of the Penguins’ success.

If, and this is a big if, the Penguins manage to win the Stanley Cup, Fleury’s name surely will be tossed around as a Conn Smythe candidate for playoff MVP.