Is Marc-Andre Fleury Ready For the Playoffs?

Marc-Andre Fleury has had a great regular season this season, just like he has the past few seasons. Fleury’s struggles have been in the last two playoff series he’s started where got destroyed by Philadelphia in 2012 allowing 30 goals in six games. In 2013 Fleury suffered a similar fate and got benched in the opening round against the New York Islanders. If the Penguins are to do anything in the playoffs, they will have to count on the “Flower”. He is capable of carrying this team like he did when they won the Stanley Cup in 09.

Is he ready?

Let’s see.

The short answer is yes. He’s finally back and after last night’s game against Colorado where he kept the Penguins in all game, he has activated playoff mode. Throughout the regular season Fleury has been so consistent and it almost seems silly that he could have another bad playoff series. All he needs to is play like he plays in the regular season and then all the bad juju, karma or voodoo will go away.

If he fails, the Penguins could buy him out and put their faith in young Jeff Zatkoff, but that isn’t going to happen.  With the ghosts of Stanley Cup Playoffs’ past clearly in the rear view mirror, it is make or break time for Fleury.

The embattled Pens net minder has proven that he will be ready because of all of the injuries the Penguins have had this season.  Pittsburgh has been the most banged up team in the NHL this season playing short handed virtually the entire season. One of the players that have stayed healthy the whole season is Fleury, which is a perfect warm up for the rigors of the postseason.

Despite all of the injuries and the hate he has had to endure the past couple seasons in the playoffs, he will be better this season because he’s had to elevate his game almost every night. Don’t expect to see any more goals that should be saved by a high school goaltender or any meltdowns. This year we’ll see the best of Fleury who has been itching prove everyone wrong for almost a year.