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Red-hot Stanley Cup Final goalies cool off

August 28, 2020 - 8:16 am

Goaltenders Marc-Andre Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights and Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals finally cooled off during Game 1 of the NHL’s Stanley Cup Final. The two allowed nine goals during Vegas’ exciting but sloppy 6-4 victory. Fleury is a leading candidate to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP; Holtby was coming off consecutive shutouts in Games 6 and 7 of the Eastern Conference Final. NBC analyst and former NHL goalie Brian Boucher, who set the modern-day record for longest shutout streak, said the goalies weren’t entirely to blame for the rash of goals. “They both could have been better, but at the same time nine goals against is not always an indication of how a goalie plays. A lot of pucks were coming off the boards and a lot of guys were left alone in front. From a goaltender’s perspective, it was a difficult game to get into a groove.”

Pittsburgh still loves Marc-Andre Fleury

August 28, 2020 - 8:28 am

Las Vegas isn’t the only city where Marc-Andre Fleury is a fan favorite. Fleury was drafted by Pittsburgh in 2003, and was its goalie until the expansion draft last June. He won three Stanley Cups as a Penguin, and helped turned the team from a bad one to a historically great one. Even though he’s gone, Pens fans still have love for Fleury. Dick’s Sporting Goods in Pittsburgh starting selling Fleury and Knights gear to keep up with demand. Season-ticket holder Bill Diamond had no thoughts of taking down his framed jersey. Pittsburghers say they’ll be watching this week’s Final with hopes that he raises another Cup.

Knights match accomplishment of old St. Louis Blues

August 28, 2020 - 8:41 am

The Godlen Knights have become the first NHL expansion team in 50 years to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. The last to do it were the the 1967-68 St. Louis Blues, one of six new teams that season as the league doubled in size. The new teams played in the same division, and one was guaranteed of making the final. Both the old Blues and Knights featured great goaltending — St.Louis had Glenn Hall; Vegas has Marc-Andre Fleury. There were other similarities between the teams, such as leading scorers who were only role players with their old teams. The Knights will face either the Washington Capitals or the Tampa Bay Lightning in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final.

Golden Knights’ Fleury tickles Wheeler’s ear during Game 3 scrum

August 28, 2020 - 8:53 am

Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury tickled Jets’ Blake Wheeler during a scrum in Game 3. The scrum occured behind Vegas’ net with 2:34 left in the second period of the Golden Knights’ 4-2 victory over Winnipeg on Wednesday night Wheeler, whose helmet was off and had his back to the goalie, somehow seemed unfazed. The Golden Knights lead the Western Conference final series 2-1, and host Game 4 on Friday night.

Knights’ fever grips Las Vegas

August 28, 2020 - 9:52 am

Golden Knights fever is gripping Las Vegas as the second round of the NHL playoffs continue. Longtime observers of the local sports scene are comparing to the team’s popularity to that of the UNLV basketball team during its heyday. It has been 27 years since UNLV last played in the Final Four. Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was only 5 years old when the Rebels beat Duke to win the 1990 national championship. “You’d go to the bank, and everybody would ask how the Rebels were going to do against Oklahoma, against LSU. I think what is happening (with the Knights) is similar. The most important part is that it is uniting the community like UNLV basketball did.”