Read the game reports from Sunday, December 31 in the NHL.
Quebec goalkeeper Marc-André Fleury participated in his 1000e career game in the National Hockey League on Sunday afternoon, as the Minnesota Wild hosted the Winnipeg Jets.
Unfortunately for him, Dominic Toninato scored the winning goal for the Jets, who spoiled his moment by winning 3-2 against the Wild.
Adam Lowry and Vladislav Namestnikov also found the back of the net in the victory.
“He probably has 999 more he can celebrate,” said Lowry, who marked his 100e career goal. It’s a tremendous accomplishment, an incredible career, and it was pretty cool to be able to share the ice with a guy like that. »
Laurent Brossoit blocked 24 shots for the Jets, who are 6-0-2 in their last eight outings.
Marcus Foligno and Frédérick Gaudreau scored the Wild’s goals. Fleury stopped 26 pucks.
Both teams scored a power play goal at the start of the third period, while Gaudreau gave the Wild the lead after 3:56 of play. Namestnikov, however, responded for the Jets less than a minute later.
Toninato scored what became the winning goal at 7:32 of the third period.
Fleury became the fourth goalkeeper – and the 388the player – to reach the milestone of 1000 games in the NHL. The other three goalkeepers are his fellow Quebecers Martin Brodeur (1,266 games), Roberto Luongo (1,044 games) and Patrick Roy (1,029 games).
The 39-year-old Sorelois also became the 10e player to take part in a 1000e career game while wearing a Wild uniform.
“Obviously very flattered by the reception from the public, from my teammates. “It means a lot to me,” Fleury said. I feel very lucky to have played for so long and to be able to do what I’ve been aiming for for many years. I’m lucky for that. »
In 1,000 games spread over 20 seasons in the NHL, Fleury has an overall record of 550-321-93.
Fleury built this track record in the uniforms of the Pittsburgh Penguins (2003-04, 2005-2017), Vegas Golden Knights (2017-2021), Chicago Blackhawks (2021-2022) and Wild (2022- 2024).
The Penguins made Fleury the first choice in the 2003 draft in Nashville.
In 169 playoff games, including 166 starts, Fleury has a record of 92-74 with 16 shutouts. His goals against average is 2.56 and his save percentage stands at .911.
Fleury contributed to three Stanley Cup victories for the Penguins in 2009, 2016 and 2017.
On an individual level, Fleury won the Vezina Trophy awarded to the best goaltender in the NHL at the end of the 2020-2021 season. That year, the Sorelois had a record of 26-10-0, registered six shutouts, posted a goals against average of 1.98 and a save percentage of .928.
Fleury ranks first in NHL goaltending history in shootout victories with 65.
Fleury remains just one career victory away from joining Roy. Brodeur dominates with 691 career wins.
Four times elected to the NHL All-Star teams (2011, 2015, 2018, 2019), Fleury has at least one regular season victory against each of the 32 NHL teams.
The Wild announced they will honor Fleury at an upcoming home game.
The Canadian Press
A double from Frederic propels the Bruins, who defeat the Red Wings 5-3
PHOTO CARLOS OSORIO, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Trent Frederic scored twice and Charlie Coyle scored the goal that gave the Boston Bruins the lead in a 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday.
Bruins forward Pavel Zacha completed the mark in an empty cage in his 500e career game in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Jake DeBrusk also placed the puck in an empty net and Charlie McAvoy had two assists for the Bruins, who won a third straight game. Jeremy Swayman made 25 saves.
Jake Walman scored his third goal in two games for the Red Wings. Ben Chiarot and JT Compher were the other scorers, then Alex Lyon blocked 23 shots.
The two clubs in the Atlantic section thus divided the four duels of the season evenly.
The Red Wings came from behind at 2-2 after conceding the first two goals of the game to Frederic. The 13the Coyle’s field goal at 3:52 of the third period, however, gave the visitors the lead for good.
Dana Gauruder, Associated Press
Forsberg helps Senators win 5-1 over Sabers with 45 saves
PHOTO JUSTIN TANG, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Anton Forsberg concluded 2023 with a 45-save performance in a 5-1 victory for the Ottawa Senators against the Buffalo Sabers on Sunday.
Two goals from the Senators’ fourth line also helped.
Zack MacEwen and Mark Kastelic both scored their first goals of the season. Dominik Kubalik, Jakob Chychrun and Artem Zub also found the back of the net.
Quebec defender Thomas Chabot, who returned after a 12-game absence due to a left leg injury, collected two assists.
Tage Thompson had the only goal for the Sabres. Devon Levi stopped 26 pucks.
Parker Kelly thought he made it 5-1, but video review showed the Senators were out of the game. Zub completed the scoring with 4:44 left in an empty cage.
Jacques Martin ran a 1300e game in the National Hockey League. In the other clan, head coach Don Granato missed a second straight game due to illness. Seth Appert, of the Rochester Americans in the American League, replaced him again.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
Nedeljkovic blocks 36 shots, Penguins beat Islanders 3-1
PHOTO MATT FREED, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Alex Nedeljkovic blocked 36 shots, Lars Eller scored two goals and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders 3-1 on Sunday night.
Nedeljkovic made some spectacular saves to help his team win a fifth match in six outings. Eller scored early in the game, before adding an empty-net goal in the final minute of play.
Noel Acciari also hit the target for the Penguins.
Samuel Bolduc scored the Islanders’ goal with 6:09 left in the game. It was the third goal of his career. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves.
Nedeljkovic is 6-2-2 in 10 games with the Penguins. The goalkeeper stopped a breakaway from Casey Cizikas, in addition to blocking four shots in 10 seconds of intervals.
Eller gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead just 2:18 into the game.
Will Graves, Associated Press