Marc-Andre Fleury Knows The Importance Of Not Dwelling On The Past

Marc-Andre Fleury was standing atop the stairway just outside of the Golden Knights plane late Wednesday night taking in the cool air. His team had just lost 4-0 in Game 4 of its best-of-seven series with the San Jose Sharks and the second goal of the night was one Fleury normally stops with ease. It was a long shot through traffic and he was unable to pick up the puck with his eyes. It's the kind of goal that keeps young netminders up at night.
But Fleury wasn't rattled and in fact, he'd already begun to put the goal and the game behind him. It's the key to his success. There was a stretch during his career where he pushed for perfection and anything less was reason for angst. Now, Fleury continues to strive for the ultimate game but doesn't let any shortfalls eat at him. The shooters get paid to score just like he gets to stop the puck. Something has to give every night. Luckily for the Golden Knights, it's the shooters who come up empty more often than Fleury.
Fleury is a 33-year-old veteran of 15 pro hockey seasons and has three Stanley Cup rings. He's seen more than most including being left unprotected in last summer's NHL expansion draft.

The Sorel, Quebec native is having the best statistical season of his career and his .951 save percentage in the playoffs makes him an early MVP candidate.
Fleury has won all six games the Golden Knights have recorded so far in the post-season and has them sitting in a 2-2 tie with the Sharks heading into Friday's Game 5.
The man immortalized in chocolate by the Bellagio's Patisserie sat down with us for a few moments on Thursday afternoon.
Thoughts on what you do after a loss…
I like watching the tapes and the goals. I talk with my goalie coach see what I could have done different. I just like to do it right away. I like to relax and go to bed. Then the next day it's all done, and you put it behind you. I think it's easier to put it behind you and focus on the next one.
Thoughts on after a game when you get home and if you can't sleep…
I think with time you get a little better at it and after time you get more experience on what to do and how to deal with it. I take a lot of pride in what I do and what we do as a team. We always want to win them all, but that's not going to happen either.
Thoughts on going through a series and whether winning a six or seven game series is more fun than winning a four-game series…
I think every time you win a series it doesn't matter if it's four, five, or six, but every time you can beat a team it's a good feeling. I think when you win the tough and long games and the series it's such a good feeling. When you win it, it's tough and it's a good feeling.
Thoughts on this season being more fun than you have had in a long time…
I had a great time last playoffs when I played. I knew I was leaving and we had success. This is great though, it's awesome. It's just the way that the fans and the city is behind us. The story about this team being an expansion and making it all the way here right now then moving people around and the expectations. I'm proud to be apart of this team.
Thoughts on being one of the Golden Misfits…
It's our team and it's who we are. We laughed about ourselves since the beginning of the season and it's been a running joke, but I'm proud to be part of this group of misfits and what we have accomplished. It's good stuff.
Thoughts on it being more fun that your kids getting older and can come to the rink and to share these moments with them…
Yeah, it does. Especially the oldest one, she gets to come a little bit more, but the young one Scarlett, my wife tells me she starts the chant "Go Knights Go" in the stands. Estelle knows a little bit more and she always tells me, "Good luck tonight Daddy. Stop all the pucks."
Thoughts on getting to the point where there is a lot on the line and how do you not let that pressure get to you…
I have had experience, so with time. I used to put too much pressure on myself to make everything happen perfect every night and it didn't work out. I have learned to just have fun especially this time of the year. It's a great time of the year, the games are intense, the games are hard and it's fun to be a part of that. The reward is so great every time you win, we have a great bunch of guys and enjoy the moment.