Fansided

Vegas Golden Knights: Marc-Andre Fleury Front Runner For Conn Smythe Trophy

By Richard Cardinale |
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 11: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights acknowledges fans after being named the first star of the game following the team's 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on April 11, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 11: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Vegas Golden Knights acknowledges fans after being named the first star of the game following the team's 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in Game One of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on April 11, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is going on an insane run in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

When the Vegas Golden Knights entered the playoff field, no one knew what to expect. A team with no history whatsoever and a team that has no playoff experience together as a group. Usually, that’s a recipe for disaster, but not this club.

Now here we are sitting in the Western Conference Finals awaiting the winner of tomorrow nights game seven between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators. The winner of that game will take on the Golden Knights for a chance to play in the Cup Finals. There have been many players who have raised their game in the playoffs, but one player stands out from the rest.

What Marc-Andre Fleury is doing in these playoffs is simp[ly incredible. Even when the Golden Knights aren’t playing the best game, he has managed to keep the team in the game no matter the situation. Key examples: First period against the Los Angeles Kings in game four of round one and the first period of game six against the San Jose Sharks in round two.

Fleury also stands alone in every major statistical category among starting goalies in the playoffs. The Sorel, Quebec native owns a record of 8-2 with a GAA of 1.53 and a .951 SV %. To say Fleury has been fantastic is an understatement.

The 33-year old looks like he still has a lot of great years left with the way he’s been playing since switching jerseys for the first time in his NHL career. But what stands out to me the most is he’s having fun.

And it’s not like he wasn’t having fun with the Penguins the last two postseasons. He provided still friendly locker room banter with his former teammates in Pittsburgh and played a vital role in the first two rounds of last years Cup run. However, he has the most fun when he’s in the net every game, helping his team win hockey games.

Even though he doesn’t wear an “A” or a “C” on the front of his jersey, the veteran netminder is an excellent leader in the locker room. It’s incredible to see when Fleury gives direction to his young defensemen such as Shea Theodore and Colin Miller. It speaks volumes of what kind of guy Fleury is on and off the ice.

The Conn Smythe trophy goes to the most valuable player during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And at this point, you can make the case that Fleury is one of the front-runners for the award along with fellow rivals Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Mark Scheifele.

Next: Vegas Golden Knights: Western Conference Finals Schedule Announced

Overall, if Marc-Andre Fleury goes onto win the Conn Smythe, that’s a good sign for the Vegas Golden Knights. Only five players have been named Conn Smythe winner despite not winning the Stanley Cup. I would feel pretty good about my Stanley Cup chances if you’re a Golden Knights fan and Fleury won the Conn Smythe.

Home / Analysis