"I'm sure ... there will be some [excitement]. Obviously it's always different coming to a new team with new guys and new systems," Fleury said. "It's not always easy. But you still want to do well right? It's your first impression especially at home with our fans and stuff. Try my best and hopefully things go well."
Fleury, who won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goaltender last season as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights, was 19-21-5 in 45 games with the Blackhawks this season, posting a 2.95 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage with four shutouts behind a leaky Chicago blueline.
The hope is that Fleury will be able to capture his form from last season, including during the first-round series against the Wild, when he guided Vegas past Minnesota in seven games.
"You keep building your game and where you want to be," Fleury said. "It's not that easy. It's a full season workload to get there. Obviously the last little stretch is important."
The Wild is hoping having a pair of veterans between the posts pushing each other can help lift the club to new heights.
Talbot has won his past seven starts, and since Fleury's acquisition, he's allowed a total of two goals in two games.
"It's been great. We sit side by side in the room so get to know each other a little bit quicker. He's a great guy and an awesome goalie. He's been playing awesome the last two games I was here," Fleury said. "Looking forward to getting to know him more and help each other and help the team win some games."
The game Saturday marks the first of back-to-back home games this weekend; the Wild will host the Central Division-leading Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Talbot has already been named the starter for that game.
The contests mark the sixth and seven games of a marathon nine-game homestand for Minnesota, which is a franchise record. The Wild is 4-1-0 on the homestand so far, getting itself back on track after a tough stretch since the All-Star break.
Minnesota has allowed five goals during its current four-game winning streak.
"Our game has tightened up. It's had to. Situations dictated that; teams have dictated that," said Wild coach Dean Evason.
Columbus is coming off a 4-3 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Friday at Canada Life Centre.
The Blue Jackets overcame a two-goal first-period deficit to tie the game early in the second. After falling behind late in the middle period, Columbus tied the game in the final moments of regulation to force overtime, where Nikolaj Ehlers won it just 21 seconds into the extra session.
With Joonas Korpisalo injured, J-F Berube would seem in line to earn the start between the pipes after Elvis Merzlikins made 29 saves in Winnipeg. Berube has won three of his four outings this season, his first in the NHL in four years.
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his 23rd goal Friday night and his team-leading 50th point. Patrik Laine leads the club with 25 goals.
