Marc-Andre Fleury, Jake Oettinger Each Record Shutout in Blackhawks' Loss to Stars

Fleury, Oettinger each record shutout in Blackhawks' loss to Stars originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

After starting in 16 of the previous 17 games, Marc-Andre Fleury was given an off day on Thursday against Columbus and it was much-needed. He's been one of the league's best goaltenders over the last few months, even at age 37.

It was a short-lived rest day, however, because the Blackhawks went right back to him on the second of a back-to-back against Dallas on Friday, and, you won't believe this but he picked up exactly where he left off.

Fleury stopped all 29 shots in regulation and earned his fourth shutout of the season — 70th of his Hall of Fame career. And yet the Blackhawks lost.

Wait, what? That's right, both Fleury and Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger were credited with a shutout in the same game. You don't see that very often, but neither of them allowed a goal in regulation.

The only pucks that found the back of the net came during the shootout, where the Stars eventually won in six rounds.

"All game we hung in there and didn’t do too much," Fleury said. "Had to go all the way to settle it down. Still disappointing to come out with a loss when so close to get that win. It would be nice to get one there at home."

 

It was an especially memorable night for Oettinger, whose childhood idol growing up was Fleury. In fact, Fleury is the reason Oettinger wears the No. 29.

 

Now he's able to say he pitched a shutout in the same game as him.

"Before the game I got a stick from him, so I was pretty pumped about that," Oettinger told reporters. "My stepmom, growing up, her first gift that she bought me was a Fleury Fathead. So I had that in my room until I was 15 or 16. 

 

"In high school, I was obsessed with him. ... To go against him was really cool, especially to get the win in such a cool building with a great atmosphere and to have my parents and girlfriend here too, was really cool."

Oettinger got to witness some vintage Fleury moments from the other side of the rink, as well. Fleury's best save of the night — and there were plenty — came in the second period when he robbed Roope Hintz with his glove in the waning seconds. It drew a standing ovation from the 19,845 fans at the United Center.

 

"I thought Flower was phenomenal tonight, per usual," Jake McCabe said. "He saved my ass at the end of the second. Those goals at the end of periods are big swings of momentum, so that was an absolutely huge save for us to go into the third period 0-0. That was probably the biggest one that comes to mind. I know he made multiple great saves tonight but that, for me, is definitely one that jumps out."

 

Who knows what the future holds for Fleury, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and could be moved ahead of the March 21 trade deadline. Blackhawks fans should just enjoy how much time he has left here, because it's a privilege to watch him on a nightly basis.

 

"He’s a special guy, right?" Interim head coach Derek King said. "A special player and this is why he’s probably going to be a Hall of Famer. This is how he plays, that’s what he does for your team. He gives you an opportunity to win a hockey game."

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