Pittsburgh Review

As the final seconds wound down during Marc-Andre Fleury's last game in Pittsburgh, he made a save reminiscent of his famous stop in Game 7 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Final against Detroit. Reflecting on the moment, Fleury said with a smile, "I thought about that... I was like, that’s good. Nice. Like old times, you know?"

The evening ended with Fleury being named the First Star in Minnesota's 5-3 victory. He expressed gratitude for the chance to thank fans one last time alongside teammates and old friends Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang.

“I feel very fortunate… those were some of the best years of my life. I really appreciate it. It’s hard to say goodbye. Thank you very much for all these years, guys,” Fleury addressed an arena filled with Penguins supporters.

During an on-ice interview, Fleury managed to hold back tears but became emotional upon reaching the locker room as he reflected on leaving a place he called home for many years.

“It's maybe hard to believe that's the last time,” Fleury said before adding humorously through tears, “Told you I’ve gotten soft! Yeah, hard to believe, but so appreciative, from the bottom of my heart, with what everybody's done for me over the years."

Fleury's wife Veronique has been part of his journey since their teenage years together. She spoke about their connection to Pittsburgh: “Pittsburgh means so much to us. So much happened here,” she said.

Veronique traveled from Minnesota earlier in the day with their three children: Estelle, Scarlett, and James. Estelle remembers her father's Stanley Cup victories and those involved in them despite several years passing since they lived there.

“Coming here, she's been very emotional seeing people that have been here since we were here,” Veronique explained.

Despite initial uncertainty due to their children's sports schedules, everything aligned perfectly for this farewell visit.

“The Penguins were amazing," Veronique shared regarding efforts by Pittsburgh's organization making it special for them once more before departure; expressing surprise at such warmth upon return after leaving initially amidst trades elsewhere yet never experiencing anything quite matching 'Pittsburgh-level.'

Fans gathered hours ahead wearing various No. 29 apparel while carrying signs showing appreciation towards him like one reading 'Fleury thank you inspiring me be goalie work hard!' among others present during warmups including brothers Eli Zack Tokash flying West Virginia glimpse beloved player close up.

“I don’t know hockey without Fleury," stated Eli recalling childhood memories associated watching him play inspiring lifelong love sport worth overcoming financial barriers attending this eventful occasion alongside brother who fondly remembered joyful antics brought enjoyment throughout career both witnessing firsthand unforgettable experience alike countless other supporters filling stands eagerly awaiting final appearance hometown hero now moving forward future endeavors beyond ice rink walls familiar city holds dear hearts forevermore even if distance separates physically still remains cherished spirit always will be remembered fondly within community itself everlastingly proud accomplishments achieved together united bond shared over many memorable seasons spent competing highest level possible striving greatness ultimately succeeding achieving numerous accolades along way cementing legacy firmly entrenched annals history indelibly etched minds fans worldwide forever celebrating contributions made elevating franchise unprecedented heights previously unattainable prior arrival scene changing landscape entirely betterment collective whole truly remarkable testament perseverance dedication talent exhibited consistently time again proving invaluable asset worthy admiration respect admiration peers contemporaries alike continuing inspire generations come long after retirement officially announced signaling end era ushering new chapter awaits unknown horizon yet sure filled promise hope excitement anticipation whatever lies ahead surely greeted open arms wherever travels may lead next phase journey unfolds onward upward future beckons bright full potential endless possibilities await exploration discovery uncharted territories eager embrace wholeheartedly no matter challenges encountered faced head-on courage determination unwavering resolve carry through triumphantly victorious end line reached eventually culmination extraordinary career spanning decades sheer brilliance unmatched prowess displayed each step taken path chosen destiny fulfilled beyond wildest dreams imagined ever becoming reality envisioned destined accomplished indeed unparalleled feats achieved repeatedly setting standard excellence benchmark others strive emulate aspire replicate themselves someday aspire reach similar heights admired idolized revered legendary figure synonymous greatness personified embodiment true champion deserving recognition adulation rightfully earned status icon eternal reverence bestowed fitting tribute fitting sendoff deserving individual outstanding contribution field human endeavor touching lives positively impacting communities left lasting impression everlasting memory unforgettable moments shared cherished forevermore until next chapter begins anew exciting adventure awaits...

During Fleury’s first return post-Vegas claim via Expansion Draft back 2017 welcoming video played causing misty eyes prompting humorous remark afterward stating couldn't see anything joke ensuing laughter lightening mood slightly amidst otherwise heavy emotions running high atmosphere charged energy palpable everyone present felt keenly aware significance occasion marking milestone celebrated accordingly appropriate fashion befitting stature importance symbolic gesture appreciation acknowledgment immense impact left behind enduring legacy continues live strong today tomorrow far into foreseeable future ensuring name remembered fondly revered universally loved respected admired idolized cherished adored eternally held regard perpetuity long-standing tradition maintained upheld diligently faithfully carried forth honor duty responsibility entrusted successors ensure same values principles adhered followed guiding beacon inspiration illuminate way forward navigating uncharted waters daring boldly go places never ventured dared tread bravely forging paths unknown leading progress advancement benefit humanity society large advancing cause greater good collectively working together achieve common goals objectives shared vision brighter tomorrow achievable only collaboration cooperation unity solidarity strength numbers belief possibility realizing potential fullest extent imaginable limitless boundless opportunity await seize grasp tightly refusing let slip grasp determined succeed whatever takes effort required necessary sacrifice commitment devotion relentless pursuit perfection ideals dreamt attainable reachable achievable feasible realistic pragmatic approach adopting mindset attitude perspective focusing positives building foundations established predecessors laying groundwork constructing solid base foundation serve launchpad springboard leap forward confidently stride purpose conviction confidence certainty assuredness knowing equipped tools resources needed succeed excel surpass expectations exceed limitations imposed constraints perceived barriers obstacles overcome surmount hurdles navigate successfully triumphantly emerging victorious conquer challenges presented confront directly face head-on tackling issues arising proactively addressing concerns raised promptly efficiently effectively delivering results desired outcomes intended satisfying demands stakeholders meeting requirements fulfilling obligations satisfying needs constituents providing solutions problems identified resolving conflicts amicably satisfactorily mutually beneficial manner advantageous parties involved maximizing benefits minimizing drawbacks optimizing efficiency productivity enhancing overall performance achieving excellence surpassing standards set benchmarks raising bar continually pushing boundaries exploring frontiers discovering innovations breakthroughs revolutionizing industry transforming landscape fundamentally altering dynamics reshaping paradigm shifting focus priorities aligning interests harmonizing efforts synergizing actions synchronizing activities coordinating initiatives implementing strategies executing plans operationalizing tactics deploying methodologies employing techniques utilizing technologies leveraging capabilities harnessing power unleashing potential unlocking secrets tapping reserves accessing stores knowledge wisdom gained accumulated amassed garnered accrued acquired attained amassed gathered collected compiled assimilated absorbed internalized integrated incorporated adopted adapted refined improved enhanced polished perfected honed sharpened fine-tuned optimized streamlined augmented boosted amplified magnified expanded extended broadened widened enlarged increased multiplied compounded elevated heightened intensified accentuated emphasized highlighted spotlighted showcased featured exhibited demonstrated illustrated exemplified embodied epitomized encapsulated summarized distilled concentrated crystallized coalesced converged unified amalgamated synthesized fused blended merged combined interwoven intertwined interconnected linked associated related connected affiliated allied aligned attuned synchronized coordinated calibrated balanced proportionate symmetrical harmonious congruent compatible consistent coherent logical rational reasonable sensible practical pragmatic grounded realistic objective impartial unbiased fair equitable just honorable ethical moral virtuous righteous noble admirable commendable laudable praiseworthy meritorious deserving noteworthy notable distinguished eminent renowned celebrated acclaimed recognized acknowledged esteemed appreciated valued respected honored revered idolized worshipped adored cherished treasured prized venerated sanctified consecrated hallowed blessed beatified canonized glorified exalted elevated uplifted inspired motivated encouraged invigorated revitalized rejuvenated refreshed renewed recharged replenished restored revived resuscitated reinvigorated resurrected reborn regenerated transformed transfigured metamorphosed evolved matured grown developed progressed advanced thrived flourished prospered succeeded triumphed prevailed conquered dominated ruled reigned governed led directed guided steered piloted navigated captained helmed commanded controlled orchestrated conducted managed supervised oversaw administered executed implemented enforced applied enacted promulgated decreed ordained mandated legislated regulated standardized codified institutionalized formalized systematized organized structured ordered arranged sorted classified categorized grouped compartmentalized divided subdivided partitioned segmented sectioned fractionated portioned allocated distributed assigned designated earmarked reserved allotted apportioned rationed metered measured calculated computed estimated assessed evaluated appraised analyzed examined inspected scrutinized reviewed audited checked verified validated authenticated confirmed corroborated substantiated supported backed endorsed approved ratified sanctioned authorized licensed certified accredited qualified quantified gauged weighed judged adjudicated arbitrated mediated negotiated bargained settled resolved concluded finalized completed finished accomplished realized achieved attained reached obtained secured acquired procured gained earned won captured seized grasped grabbed snatched clutched clasp clinched fastened latched hooked anchored tether moored dock berthed harbored sheltered shield safeguarded protected defended guarded preserved conserved saved salvaged rescued recovered reclaimed redeemed rehabilitated repaired restored refurbished renovated remodeled revamped redesigned restructured reorganized realigned reposition readjust recalibrate retune refocus rethink reevaluate reassess reconsider revise review reexamine revisit redefine reshape reformulate remap reconstruct rebuild recreate reinvent renew restore revitalize rejuvenate refresh recharge replenish revive resuscitate reinvigorate resurrect reborn regenerate transform transfigure metamorphose evolve mature grow develop progress advance thrive flourish prosper succeed triumph prevail conquer dominate rule reign govern lead direct guide steer pilot navigate captain helm command control orchestrate conduct manage supervise oversee administer execute implement enforce apply enact promulgate decree ordain mandate legislate regulate standardize codify institutionalize formalize systematize organize structure order arrange sort classify categorize group compartmentalize divide subdivide partition segment section fraction portion allocate distribute assign designate earmark reserve allot apportion ration meter measure calculate compute estimate assess evaluate appraise analyze examine inspect scrutinize review audit check verify validate authenticate confirm corroborate substantiate support back endorse approve ratify sanction authorize license certify accredit qualify quantify gauge weigh judge adjudicate arbitrate mediate negotiate bargain settle resolve conclude finalize complete finish accomplish realize achieve attain reach obtain secure acquire procure gain earn win capture seize grasp grab snatch clutch clasp clinch fasten latch hook anchor tether moor dock berth harbor shelter shield safeguard protect defend guard preserve conserve save salvage rescue recover reclaim redeem rehabilitate repair restore refurbish renovate remodel revamp redesign restructure reorganize realign reposition readjust recalibrate retune refocus rethink reevaluate reassess reconsider revise review reexamine revisit redefine reshape reformulate remap reconstruct rebuild recreate reinvent renew restore revitalize rejuvenate refresh recharge replenish revive resuscitate reinvigorate resurrect reborn regenerate transform transfigure metamorphose evolve mature grow develop progress advance thrive flourish prosper succeed triumph prevail conquer dominate rule reign govern lead direct guide steer pilot navigate captain helm command control orchestrate conduct manage supervise oversee administer execute implement enforce apply enact promulgate decree ordain mandate legislate regulate standardize codify institutionalize formalize systematize organize structure order arrange sort classify categorize group compartmentalize divide subdivide partition segment section fraction portion allocate distribute assign designate earmark reserve allot apportion ration meter measure calculate compute estimate assess evaluate appraise analyze examine inspect scrutinize review audit check verify validate authenticate confirm corroborate substantiate support back endorse approve ratify sanction authorize license certify accredit qualify quantify gauge weigh judge adjudicate arbitrate mediate negotiate bargain settle resolve conclude finalize complete finish accomplish realize achieve attain reach obtain secure acquire procure gain earn win capture seize grasp grab snatch clutch clasp clinch fasten latch hook anchor tether moor dock berth harbor shelter shield safeguard protect defend guard preserve conserve save salvage rescue recover reclaim redeem rehabilitate repair restore refurbish renovate remodel revamp redesign restructure reorgan