The Vegas Golden Knights’ clinching 3-2 victory in Game 6 put them in the second round of the NHL playoffs and ended the Minnesota Wild’s season.
It also was the end of the career of future Hall of Fame goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who backed up on Thursday after getting into part of Game 5 because of Filip Gustavsson’s illness. Fleury, the 2003 No. 1 overall pick, previously announced that this was his final season.
He finishes with three Stanley Cup titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins, a Vezina Trophy and another trip to the Final with the Golden Knights and 575 regular-season wins, second best in NHL history.
ESPN had a second game to broadcast Thursday night and cut away from the handshake line before Fleury went through in order to show the intro of the Los Angeles Kings-Edmonton Oilers game.
Jeez ESPN, you couldn’t stay with the postgame handshakes for another minute or two to see Fleury get the respect he’s earned from his former @GoldenKnights teammates? Especially after your announcers spent so much time talking about him?
So weak.— Steve Carp (@stevecarp56) May 2, 2025
ESPN later showed video of Fleury in the handshake line during the intermission of the Kings-Oilers game. But here’s what you missed from Fleury’s last time on the ice, courtesy of agent Allan Walsh and others:
Everyone loves Flower! 🌸 pic.twitter.com/bv5yZSQgH6
— Allan Walsh🏒 (@walsha) May 2, 2025
The Minnesota fans chant “Fleury” as the Golden Knights and Wild make their way through the handshake line. 😭 pic.twitter.com/Ze2SHBB0oi
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 2, 2025
The Golden Knights wait to give Marc-Andre Fleury a final salute before he leaves the ice for the final time. pic.twitter.com/klwN6qYYD1
— Danny Webster (@DannyWebster21) May 2, 2025
One last time. 🌸
After 21 seasons, Marc-André Fleury has officially retired from the NHL. 🥲❤️ pic.twitter.com/KR85TDsxyb
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 2, 2025
Chants of “Fleury! Fleury!” At Xcel Energy Center during the handshake line.
This is the future Hall of Famer’s final game. pic.twitter.com/Zf8Wq4wqjN
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) May 2, 2025
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ESPN cuts away from Marc-Andre Fleury’s final time on ice
