The Vegas Golden Knights have upended the hockey community’s expectations halfway through their first go-round in the NHL, dominating the opposition and climbing to the top of the Western Conference standings in the process. And much of that success has come on the backs of two key names: starting netminder Marc-Andre Fleury and winger James Neal.
Both veterans joined the organization as arguably the most high-profile names on the roster, galvanizing the club’s new fanbase after establishing themselves among the top talents in the game at their respective positions.
That said, it’s been Fleury who’s held the mantle as the face of Vegas’ new franchise from day one, ever since the club announced the Sorel, Que. native as their newest netminder at the expansion draft. While Fleury’s skill between the pipes has undoubtedly been among the key reasons the Golden Knights have thrived thus far, the netminder’s infectious love for the game might have had just as significant an impact.
“I just love it. I love the goalie position,” Fleury told Scott Oake and Louie DeBrusk during After Hours on Saturday. “Diving around and being unpredictable a bit on the shooters. I think that’s something that I watched Marty Brodeur do a bit — you never knew if he was going to poke check or butterfly.”
Fresh off an overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, there are surely times when the former Pittsburgh Penguin isn’t all smiles. But it’s fair to say those nights are rare for Fleury, especially with Vegas rolling through the rest of the league on a regular basis.
“Not every time — you know, it wasn’t fun (on Saturday) with the overtime goal. I just wanted to smash a stick,” Fleury said of enjoying every day in the big leagues. “But most nights, I feel lucky to be playing hockey, and still be playing hockey. I like to cheer for my teammates when they make a stop for me and just try to enjoy it.”
Vying for a chance at the Presidents’ Trophy and looking like a lock to make the post-season, it’s fair to say this wasn’t what the rest of the league expected from their newest opponent. They were supposed to struggle through their first season, to find some moments of glory but ultimately endure the same hardships that fall on every first-year franchise.
But the club simply had other plans.
“I don’t think anyone envisioned the way things have turned out for us this far, but our group came together really quick,” Neal told Oake and DeBrusk. “We’re playing hard for each other every night, kind of with a chip on our shoulder. We have something to prove and we’re showing that, so it’s been fun.”
Of course, the Golden Knights’ tenure in Vegas didn’t begin with the joy and ease that’s taken hold of their fanbase as of late. Rather, it began with heartache after the events of Oct. 1, 2017 — the date of the historic mass shooting that occurred at Las Vegas’ Route 91 Harvest music festival — forever changed the city’s history.
Neal, who was at that very festival only two days prior, but didn’t attend on the day of the shooting due to a skating session, spoke about the tragedy’s impact.
“Obviously very emotional — I was there on Friday,” Neal said. “I know a lot of us went to watch the country show and especially coming from Nashville, you get to know a lot of people in the country music industry. So it touched a lot of people’s lives and it was horrific. But, on a positive note, what we’ve been able to do — give some light and put some smiles on some people’s faces and do as much as we can do in the community — I think that’s helped us get off to such a great start.
“We’re not playing only for ourselves, we’re playing for this city. And it’s been pretty special to be a part of.”
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