MONTREAL (AP) — The Minnesota Wild delivered a stellar performance on January 30, 2025, defeating the Montreal Canadiens 4-0. This game marked the first shutout of the season for veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, which also holds emotional significance as it is likely his last appearance playing before friends and family at the Bell Centre.
Fleury, hailing from Sorel-Tracy just 50 miles northeast of Montreal, made 19 saves throughout the game. His teammates rallied around him, and Fleury's fans showered him with appreciation after the final buzzer, which undoubtedly added to the intensity of the night. The crowd erupted when the camera turned to Fleury during the singing of “O Canada,” highlighting the respect and affection they hold for the veteran player. Cheerful chants of "Fleury! Fleury!" reverberated through the arena during timeouts, creating a memorable atmosphere.
Fleury’s shutout was his 76th career shutout, tying him with hockey legends Ed Belfour and Tony Esposito for the 10th most shutouts in NHL history. Notably, he is the first goalie ever to record shutouts as both a teenager and at the age of 40 or more, reflecting not only his longevity but also his impressive skill.
The Minnesota Wild struck first with Liam Ohgren scoring the opening goal at 3:41 of the second period. Ohgren managed to recover the rebound after initial contact with Montreal goalie Jakub Dobes and capitalized on the opportunity, snapping the puck far side over Dobes' blocker.
Following Ohgren's goal, the Canadiens mounted pressure but struggled to convert on their offensive opportunities. The Wild doubled their lead at 5:47 of the second period when Marco Rossi redirected the puck after receiving it from Marcus Foligno. Rossi's precise shot slipped past Dobes' right arm, asserting Minnesota's control over the game.
Despite facing limited shots on goal, Fleury displayed his vintage form, particularly with timely saves, including a spectacular pokecheck against Josh Anderson, impressively showcasing his reflexes. The Canadiens intensified their aggression as the game progressed; still, Fleury was unfazed, making several key stops to maintain their lead.
Devin Shore hiked the Wild's lead to 3-0 at 5:56 of the third period. It was Rossi's persistence to keep the puck in play during changes and off the stick of Shore, who snuck it past Dobes under his right arm. Frederick Gaudreau capped the evening off with an empty-netter at 18:33, sealing the victory for the Wild.
With this victory, the Minnesota Wild improved their record to 3-0 on their five-game trip and demonstrated their solid executing capability leading up to the All-Star break.
Conversely, the Montreal Canadiens will have to reconcile their recent struggles, as they fell to four consecutive losses, failing to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities. Despite this downturn, Dobes had been largely effective, boasting previously impressive stats before this loss.
The Wild's next challenge awaits them on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators, aiming to extend their winning streak. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are preparing for their upcoming three-game road trip starting Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks, hoping to bounce back from their recent defeats.
The season progresses, and it is clear the Wild are not only making memories for Fleury but also aiming for playoff contention, showcasing depth and coordination within their roster. Fleury’s farewell underlines the emotional aspects of sports, encapsulating his long-standing career and the relationships built along the way as he heads toward retirement.