I caught up with Marc-Andre Fleury before the All-Star Game and asked him his favorite goalies to watch -- one of them, Carey Price, is representing the Atlantic Division -- and if he's ever stolen Jonathan Quick's wallet.
HockeyBuzz: You mentioned, even when you're playing, that you like to watch the goalie on the other side. Is that the norm for goalies, to watch the other side?
Marc-Andre Fleury: I don't know if other guys do it. I like to.
There's a lot of good goalies around the league. It's fun to see them live, their routines, the stuff they do. If I like [something], maybe try it in practice, see how it feels. But you can always learn from other guys.
HB: Who are your favorite goalies to watch and why?
MAF: Bobrovsky because he's quick, always there in the right spot. Battles hard.
I like Quick too because he's more unpredictable. He gets across and he's so flexible, makes spectacular saves.
I like Carey Price too because he's a little more calm. He's in the right spot, he gets hit [with the puck]. He doesn't chase after it too much.
HB: You're going to the All-Star Game, and besides the Olympics, that's probably the greatest collection of hockey talent that you can be around. With all this talent around you, have you ever learned or "stolen" something from another player?
MAF: Steal their wallet? (laughs)
HB: Yes, their wallet. Have you ever stolen Jonathan Quick's wallet?
MAF: Yes. (laughs)
HB: I mean other player's techniques. You're sharing the room with them, watching them up close. Have you learned something from that experience?
MAF: Yeah, sometimes their gear. How they get dressed. What they wear.
On the ice, how they move. Same thing as the game, right?
HB: Can you think of something specific? Besides goalies, I guess you can also learn shooter's tendencies?
MAF: That helps a bit. But then, guys there, they have a lot of time, they put on a show. It doesn't mean because they do it there, they'll do it in the real game. You have to take some, leave some.
As far as goalies, I always watch them. But I don't remember if I changed something because of seeing them there.
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Both Fleury and James Neal acquitted themselves well in the All-Star Game.
Fleury made several difficult saves, stopping seven of eight, and Neal potted a pair of goals in the Pacific Division's 5-2 win over the Central.
In the "championship" contest, Fleury turned away three of four, while Neal went scoreless. Regardless, the Pacific took home the $1 million dollar prize with a 5-2 victory over the Atlantic.
Here are some Vegas highlights from today:
Fleury stones Staal, catches fly ball #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/S8TORNntPZ
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 28, 2018
Neal! #NHLAllStar #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/rrBiqrmySD
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 28, 2018
Neal between Wheeler's legs, nothing but net #NHLAllStar #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/8VDP8Pk68t
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) January 28, 2018
🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 pic.twitter.com/cSZPnpPGZ2
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) January 28, 2018
FINAL SCORE ALERT
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) January 29, 2018
These guys are #NHLAllStar WINNERS. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/EUOstNNDrc
Only four expansion teams have had two All-Stars represent them in their first season.
Obviously, the Vegas Golden Knights have Fleury and Neal. Not surprisingly, the very competitive Florida Panthers had John Vanbiesbrouck and Bob Kudelski. The Los Angeles Kings boasted Terry Sawchuk and Eddie Joyal. And if you can believe it, the second-worst expansion team ever fielded a pair of All-Stars:
Peter Sidorkiewicz was in route to a 46-loss season, third-worst in NHL history, while the popular Brad Marsh, in the last season of a 15-year career, was a Commissioner's Selection.
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