Marc-Andre Fleury Carries the Wild to the Stanley Cup Playoffs After Shocking Turn of Events

Coming into Tuesday nights matchup with the Anaheim Ducks, the Minnesota Wild needed just one point to clinch their place in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and with 20 seconds to go, Joel Eriksson Ek scored to send the game to overtime, getting it done for the Wild.

With the team not needing the victory, they did something unexpected, as Head Coach John Hynes turned to Marc-Andre Fleury, putting him in the game for what could be his last appearance at the NHL level.

The Wild would then go on to clinch the victory, and as a result, another overtime win for Fleury, who now ends his career with a 575-339-97 record as the roof blew off the building for the victory, with his team coming to celebrate him in a big way.

Not only did he garner the respect of his teammates throughout his career, but everyone else involved with the sport, and that was put on display in his final game, as the entire Anaheim Ducks roster waited and lined up to shake hands with the goaltending legend.

While Minnesota didn't need a victory in this matchup, the fans certainly made it special, and with Hynes understanding how special this moment would be for Fleury, he was put in for an amazing moment that will long be remembered by Wild fans and the goaltender himself.

What the Wild are up against next Fleury's former team the Vegas Golden Knights, and while we may not see him take the ice again at the NHL level, he's going to be the leader he's always been as the team look for a deep run in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.