“It was fun having an opportunity to play with him”: Sidney Crosby reflects on potential final showdown with Marc-Andre Fleury

Sidney Crosby, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain, expressed admiration for his longtime teammate and close friend Marc-Andre Fleury, expressing his thoughts on playing against him for potentially the final time. Crosby and Fleury, key members of the Penguins' dynasty, won three Stanley Cups together in 2009, 2016, and 2017. Fleury joined the Vegas Golden Knights in 2017, then Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild.

Sidney Crosby on squaring off against Marc-Andre Fleury

Sidney Crosby recently commented on squaring off against his longtime friend and old teammate, Marc-Andre Fleury, in what might have been their last meeting. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby noted the importance of the situation, sharing great admiration for Fleury's storied career and memories he made alongside him.


Crosby and Fleury were pillars of the Penguins' championship seasons, playing key roles in winning three Stanley Cups in 2009, 2016, and 2017. While Crosby has been the franchise's face in Pittsburgh, Fleury's path led him elsewhere, starting with the Vegas Golden Knights after being taken in the 2017 Expansion Draft. He subsequently had stints with the Chicago Blackhawks before joining the Minnesota Wild, where he plays today.

While they have faced one another several times since Fleury left Pittsburgh, this one feels different. With Fleury nearing the conclusion of his illustrious NHL career, Crosby is not lost on the gravity of this possible first and last meeting.

At a recent media session, Sidney Crosby was questioned on whether he would ever share the ice with Fleury again. The Penguins' captain paused to consider their time as teammates, the victories they enjoyed, and the special relationship they had formed. Although the competition continues to be intense on the ice, there is certainly a realization of respect for the fights they have shared—both as teammates and adversaries.


"You reflect a bit ... He's had an amazing career,” Crosby said. “And it was fun having an opportunity to play with him for a big chunk of it. You try to compete like any other game, but you also appreciate these moments when you realize they might not happen again.”

Now 40 years young, Fleury has accumulated an astounding 573 career wins, making him second in the NHL all-time wins record for goaltenders, behind only Martin Brodeur, with 691. In spite of continued rumors surrounding his retirement, Fleury remains a force to be reckoned with in front of the net.

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Having come out on top in their last encounter, Sidney Crosby is looking to repeat the success. While Pittsburgh has 58 points in the Eastern Conference standings and finds itself at the bottom, every game is of paramount importance. Sentimentality will abound on the night, but the moment the puck goes down, old ties will be forgotten. In a final confrontation between two legends of Penguins lore, another chapter in their rivalry is about to be written.