Field Level Media
Dec 9, 2021
Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside all 30 shots he faced to record his 500th career NHL win on Thursday, lifting the visiting Chicago Blackhawks to a 2-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
The reigning Vezina Trophy recipient recorded his seventh victory in his last 10 outings to join Hall of Famers Martin Brodeur (691) and Patrick Roy (551) as the only NHL goaltenders to reach the 500-win plateau.
Fleury was born in Sorel, Quebec, approximately one hour north of Montreal. He gave the "home" fans a show by stopping all 12 shots he faced in the third period to secure his second shutout of the season and 69th of his career.
Captain Jonathan Toews scored his first goal of the season and Henrik Borgstrom also tallied for the Blackhawks, who have won seven in a row in Montreal.
Jake Allen made 23 saves for the Canadiens, who matched a season high with five straight losses (0-4-1). Montreal began the season by losing its first five games.
With Canadiens defenseman Kale Clague serving a hooking penalty, Patrick Kane wired a diagonal pass to the high slot to Seth Jones. The defenseman quickly fed Toews at the doorstep to open the scoring with 6:12 remaining in the second period. The goal was Toews' first since March 5, 2020.
Jones' assist was his team-leading 20th of the season and seventh in his last seven games.
Borgstrom doubled the advantage with eight minutes remaining after taking advantage of an ill-advised backhanded pass from Montreal defenseman Alexander Romanov. Borgstrom gained control of the puck in front before wiring a turnaround shot past Allen for his second goal of the season and first since Oct. 24.
Allen's failed attempt to play the puck behind his net nearly resulted in the game's first goal late in the first period. The puck skidded out front to a cutting Kane, whose backhand shot sailed over the crossbar.
Chicago defensemen Connor Murphy (concussion protocol) and Jake McCabe (personal) each returned from their respective three-game absences. McCabe told NBC Sports Chicago that his wife recently gave birth to a baby boy.
--Field Level Media