“Feel fortunate to play in his time,” Marc-Andre Fleury reflects on decade-long rivalry with Alex Ovechkin following shootout victory over Capitals
Wild's goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury looked back on his long rivalry with Alex Ovechkin following an emphatic 4-3 victory over the Capitals.
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Marc-Andre Fleury and Alex Ovechkin (Image via Imago)
On Thursday, two future NHL Hall of Famers Marc-Andre Fleury and Alex Ovechkin went face-to-face again. During the Minnesota Wild-Washington Capitals, both of them had their moments against each other. After the game, Fleury reflected back on this decade-long rivalry with Ovechkin.
Fleury started his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. During his stay in Pittsburgh, he would several times cross paths with Ovechkin. With the emergence of Sidney Crosby, the Penguins and Capitals became fierce rivals.
During the game on Thursday, Ovechkin continued his red-hot form and scored again. He scored his 871th career goal and is now 23 goals away from tying the record of Wayne Gretzky.
His goal in the second period was the 28th time he has scored against Fleury. This goal leveled the game at 2-2 for the Capitals. It was Ovechkin 18th goal of this season.
ALEX OVECHKIN'S 28th ALL-TIME TUCK VS. FLEURY PUTS HIM ONE GOAL CLOSER TO MAKING HISTORY ? pic.twitter.com/rdaEdLyW4l
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 3, 2025
As the game ended 3-3 after overtime, a shootout was required. Just like a Hollywood script, the deciding factor of the match came to Ovechkin’s effort. Fleury was able to keep “The Great Eight” and earn a SO victory for his team.
Fleury gets the last laugh and stuffs Ovi to win the shootout ❌ pic.twitter.com/VPZFiDYL3T
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 3, 2025
Following the game “Flower” would praise his rival. He claimed that he feels fortunate to have played in the same time as Ovechkin. The veteran goaltender also joked that Ovechkin owes him something for letting him score this many goals against them.
I don’t like getting scored on by him, but I love the battle over the years. I feel fortunate I was able to play in his time. He probably owes me a few things for scoring so many goals on me. I helped him out pretty good. I’m glad I got to face him. He’s one of the best and always brings the best out of you. It’s been fun battles with him.
Marc-Andre Fleury on Alex Ovechkin as per NHL.com
Despite a loss in this game, the Capitals are top of the Metropolitan Division standings. As for the Wild, they are currently second in the Central Division standings with a 24-11-4 record and 52 points.
Alex Ovechkin hails Marc-Andre Fleury as one of the best goalies in NHL
Marc-Andre Fleury has made a huge impact in the NHL since joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2003. He has gone on to establish himself as one of all-time greats of the game. Alex Ovechkin has backed this statement and hailed him after suffering a 4-3 SO loss on Thursday.
In the post-game interview, Ovechkin claimed that it is a “huge challenge” to face Fleury. He would also dub his battles with the Wild goalie as “fun“.
It’s 20 years to play against each other. It’s always fun, it’s always challenge. He’s one of the best goalies out there, and it’s a huge challenge to play against him.
Alex Ovechkin said
Ovechkin will resume “The Great Chase” on Saturday when the Capitals take on the struggling New York Rangers. Given his current pace, the Russian international could surpass the record of Gretzky before the regular season comes to an end.
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Vinay Dave
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