Detroit Red Wings
The Daily: Fleury Struggles, Sharks’ Ugly Start, Surprising Flyers
Minnesota Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is a sure Hall of Famer and one of the NHL’s most popular players. That’s why the hockey world has taken note of Fleury’s two crummy starts.
Fleury, 37, has yielded 11 goals in 79 minutes of play this season. He has a cruel 8.37 goals-against average to go with an ugly .776 save percentage. He will take that into Thursday’s home game against the struggling Vancouver Canucks.
Wild fans booed him in his last outing. After the game, Fleury said he didn’t blame the fans. He said he would boo himself, too. Fleury said he needed to be better.
With his experience, Fleury knows that some fans and media will wonder if two poor games is a sign that age is catching up to him. Vegas Hockey Now writer Owen Krepps wrote a piece suggesting that the narrative is changing about whether the Vegas Golden Knights made the right decision in parting ways with Fleury.
The Wild have started 0-3, but there’s no indication they view the Fleury situation as anything more than a bad stretch. But the Thursday game against Vancouver seems like a big game.
In Case You Missed It
The Grand Rapids Griffins are only two games into their season, but plenty is much is going on for the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate. Jonatan Berggren got hurt, Donovan Sebrango isn’t playing and offseason acquisition Austin Czarnik is off to a hot start.
Bob Duff wrote about how Nicklas Lidstrom is doing what he can to help fellow Swede Borje Salming’s fight against ALS.
Jakub Vrana is away from the Red Wings for what the team calls “personal reasons.” No timetable for his return.
Hockey Now Network
Boston: Joe Haggerty of BHN wrote that Jake DeBrusk’s strong start shows he’s happy and secure with the Bruins. Boston Bruins.Â
New York: Stefen Rosner’s story for New York Islanders Hockey Now spells out how the Islanders are tapping into defenseman Alexander Romanov’s hidden talent. New York Islanders.Â
Philadelphia: Sam Carchidi offers five observations about how the Flyers took down the Tampa Bay Lightning. Philadelphia Flyers.Â
San Jose: Nico Sturm speaks from the heart after the Sharks start the season 0-5 for the first time in franchise history. San Jose Sharks.Â
Washington: Dylan Strome explained why wearing the Capitals special “W” jersey has extra meaning for him. Washington Capitals.
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