A Fleury of Questions Going into the Playoffs

 The Pittsburgh Penguins had a dominant regular season once again to clinch the Metropolitan Division title despite a rash of injuries this season including at one point when all four top defenseman were out at the same time. Pittsburgh yet again is considered a favorite going in to the Stanley Cup Playoffs with having Art Ross Trophy and best player in the world leading Sidney Crosby leading them. However going into their series with the top wild card seed in the Eastern Conference the Columbus Blue Jackets there is one questions being asked about the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Can Marc Andre Fleury duplicate his playoff success from 2008 and 2009 where in two playoff runs he led the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals and in 2009 the Stanley Cup Championship? Or will he continue his recent playoff disappointments?  In the last two of the last three playoffs the Penguins early playoff exits can be pointed to Fleury’s play and when they did make a run in 2013 Fleury was pulled in the first round for veteran Tomas Vokoun.

The regular season has not been a problem for Fleury as he has consistently won 30 games, had a goals against average of around 2.50, and a save percentage north of 91 percent. However a player, especially a goaltender, is going to be judged is if he can turn regular season success into playoff success. Often the standard set by the great ones is to elevate your game at the most important and critical times.

It has been well-documented that Fleury has not done that over the last three playoffs and now all eyes shift to him. Like any team in the NHL during the playoffs there success is going to rely mainly on the goaltender no matter how much depth you have, or if your skill level is so much higher than your opponent.

Ask the Edmonton Oilers in 2007 and the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 how important that guy standing in the blue paint with a different set of equipment is.

Sidney Crosby is the best player in the world (lets stop the debate) but yet the Penguins championship hopes will be determined by a former number one overall pick who wasn’t even invited to Canada’s Olympic Orientation Camp this past summer because of his horrendous play in the post season. If the Penguins win their fifth Stanley Cup in franchise history it will be because of number 29.

Fleury went as far to see a sports psychologist to help repair his mental state this offseason. Lebron James did something similar when he was trying to overcome the hurdle of past playoff disappointments and not listen to outside noise.

In a position where it is arguably more mental than physical it will be extremely important for Fleury to get off to go start against the Blue Jackets to help quite the doubters.

But it won’t end there. Trust me. The ‘noise’ will be there all playoffs. If Fleury gives up a soft goal in the conference finals that has an impact on the outcome the game you can bet Fleury will be questioned and doubted. And rightfully so.

If Head Coach Dan Bylsma has to go to young netminder Jeff Zatkoff who has no playoff experience or Tomas Vokoun who hasn’t played all season due to blood clots in his leg then things likely will not be ending well in the Steel City, again. Fleury would likely be on his way out his Pittsburgh and it will discussed if Bylsma might not be long after.

Only time will tell if the guy known as Flower can again “bloom” in the playoffs.