EDMONTON

It was supposed to be a night of celebration for Marc-Andre Fleury, but it started with an unexpected twist. The veteran goaltender, in his 1,000th career NHL start, initially faced an embarrassing moment just 27 seconds into the game when he allowed an unusual goal from the Edmonton Oilers. A long, slow-moving puck rolled towards him but unexpectedly bounced through his legs, giving Leon Draisaitl the easiest goal of his career, placing the Wild down 1-0 early on.

“Honestly, I was mad for a bit,” the 39-year-old Fleury reflected. “But then I just laughed it off. It was so stupid.” After the awkward start, Fluery regained his composure, finishing the game with an impressive 29 saves, leading the Minnesota Wild to a 5-3 victory over the Oilers.

Frederick Gaudreau was instrumental in the win, netting two goals and an assist, while teammates Matt Boldy, Marcus Foligno, and Johansson added to the scoreline for the Wild, who have now achieved a record of 13 wins, 3 losses, and 3 overtime losses so far this season. This victory also marks their strong form, going 5-1-1 in their last seven games.

“It’s great to see everyone pulling their weight,” Johansson said. “We are building solid performances all around the ice.”

In a moment of concern, star forward Kirill Kaprizov was injured late in the second period after a shoulder hit from Drake Caggiula sent him crashing down. Fortunately, he returned to the game, providing relief to the team and fans. Minnesota head coach John Hynes expressed his frustration but was thankful that Kaprizov was okay.

On the other side, the Oilers, who have now lost three of their last four games, struggled as injuries have begun to take a toll on their performance. Draisaitl's goal marked his 15th of the season, showcasing that despite their challenges, he continues to be a key player for Edmonton.

The star-studded matchup, which also featured contributions from Corey Perry and Jeff Skinner for the Oilers, delineated the competitive nature of both teams. Fleury’s resilience and the Wild's overall strong performance under pressure gave fans something to cheer about, solidifying their position as one of the formidable teams in the league.

As Fleury celebrated his milestone, he joined an elite group, moving into third overall for all-time games played, trailing only legendary goaltenders Martin Brodeur and Roberto Luongo. This remarkable achievement not only cements his legacy but showcases his unwavering dedication to the sport. “It was an unbelievable night,” Fleury said, voicing gratitude for the support as he continues to add chapters to his storied career.

With the season still in its early stages, fans can anticipate more thrilling hockey and historical moments as both teams push for playoff positions.