Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury fends off Montreal Canadiens' Jonathan Drouin after clearing the puck during second period NHL hockey action in Montreal on Thursday, December 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
MONTREAL (AP) - Marc-Andre Fleury made 27 saves and earned his 500th career win as the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 Thursday night.
As the clock reached zero, Blackhawks teammates rushed over to Fleury in celebration.
'œIt was really special. I really thought people in Montreal hated me after all these years of getting yelled at or booed,'ť Fleury said. 'œI never play my best games here. It's always a rough night in Montreal.
'œTo finally get a win, the 500th win, with my friends and family in the arena and with the fans' reception it's heartwarming. It's great to be able to achieve this in Montreal.'ť
With a shutout, Fleury joined Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy as the only NHL goaltenders to reach 500 career victories. Brodeur is the all-time leader with 691, Roy stands second with 551.
'œFor me, Patrick and Martin are the best,'ť Fleury said. 'œThat's what's fun about hockey, I have fun and all but the feeling of getting a win, that's what I'm looking for. For me the 500 was important, trying to beat Patrick isn't as important.'ť
Interim Blackhawks coach Derek King said he'd never heard a crowd cheer for a visiting player like the Bell Centre fans did on Thursday.
While he recognizes his bias, King said Fleury has his place among the game's great netminders.
'œRoy and Brodeur are elite obviously but I don't get why Fleury doesn't get (recognition),'ť King said. 'œEventually down the road when he retires he definitely should be a Hall of Famer.
'œIt's unbelievable. Whether it's like 50 home runs or 50 goals or getting over 100 points but this, you're not going to see this often.'ť
Jonathan Toews and Henrik Borgstrom scored for Chicago. Patrick Kane and Seth Jones picked up assists.
Jake Allen had 23 saves for Montreal.
Kane had the opening goal on the tip in the final moments of the first period, intercepting Allen's clearing try and scoring into an open net.
Toews scored at 13:48 of the second period on the power play. It was the Blackhawks captain's first goal since the 2020 NHL playoffs in the Edmonton bubble.
Borgstrom added Chicago's insurance goal 12 minute into the third period. He intercepted Alexander Romanov's pass in front of Allen's net and easily tapped his second goal of the season.
NOTES: The Canadiens broke a franchise record for most games in a calendar year, having played 106 regular-season and playoff games in 2021.
UP NEXT
Blackhawks: At Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.
Canadiens: At St. Louis Blues on Saturday.
___
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Chicago Blackhawks' Calvin de Haan, center, and Jonathan Toews congratulate goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for his 500th career NHL win, after shutting out the Montreal Canadiens 2-0 in an NHL hockey game in Montreal on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (/Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Montreal Canadiens' Ben Chiarot, center, falls backward between Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and defenseman Calvin de Haan during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen, right, knocks the puck away from Chicago Blackhawks' Brandon Hagel during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)P)
The Associated Press
Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews, top, celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens with teammates Alex DeBrincat, left, and Patrick Kane during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Chicago Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews, top, deflects the puck into the net to score past Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen (34) as Canadiens' David Savard looks on during second-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen dives back to the net to make a save against Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane (88) during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen snags the puck while facing the Chicago Blackhawks during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Linesman Jonathan Deschamps, center, gets caught between Chicago Blackhawks' Mike Hardman (86) and Montreal Canadiens' Mike Hoffman, right, during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press
Chicago Blackhawks' Riley Stillman, right, loses his stick as he battles for the puck against Montreal Canadiens' Jake Evans during first-period NHL hockey game action in Montreal, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP)
The Associated Press