Fleury likely to play at least one remaining regular-season game

Marc-Andre Fleury is hoping to make at least one appearance in goal for the Vegas Golden Knights before the regular season comes to an end.

"We'll see what (coach Gerard Gallant) wants," Fleury said Wednesday, according to NHL.com's Nicholas J. Cotsonika. "But at least the last one. Hopefully maybe tomorrow too."

The 34-year-old netminder has missed the team's last nine contests with an undisclosed injury. The Golden Knights play against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday before closing out the season against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

Fleury was sensational between the pipes for Vegas before his injury, winning his previous six starts and conceding just five goals in the process. Though he's relieved by the timing of his recovery, Fleury admits there's no way to simulate the pace and intensity of a real NHL game.

"I find you can do a lot in practice, a lot in the gym, but it's never like a game," Fleury said. "So I think it would be good to get out there and get into traffic, try to find pucks, and get used to the speed of the game a bit again. So, it'll be good."

The three-time Stanley Cup champion was an essential part of the Golden Knights' magical run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season last year. Fleury posted a record of 12-3 with a .947 save percentage and four shutouts through the first three rounds of the 2018 playoffs.

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