The Sharks' first-round playoff opponent is getting healthier.
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc Andre-Fleury said Wednesday that he hopes to play in "at least" one regular-season game before the Stanley Cup playoffs begin next week.
"We'll see what [coach Gerard Gallant] wants," Fleury told reporters in Las Vegas, via NHL.com. "But at least the last one. Hopefully maybe tomorrow, too."
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Out since March 15 with an undisclosed injury, Fleury practiced Tuesday and Wednesday. If he takes the crease Thursday, he'll face off against the Coyotes, who will be fighting to stay alive in the playoff race. The Golden Knights wrap up their regular season Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Fleury's health was a question mark headed into the postseason, but he might be the last goaltender the Sharks want to see in the first round.
Last year, Fleury carried Vegas to a six-game series win over San Jose in the second round. The veteran netminder posted a .935 save percentage, 2.14 goals-against average and two shutouts in that series, leading the Golden Knights to the Western Conference final.
In 10 regular-season and playoff appearances over the last two years against the Sharks, Fleury is 7-3-0 with a .936 save percentage and 2.10 goals-against average with three shutouts. No goalie has won more games against the Sharks during that time, and no goalie in the Western Conference has posted a higher save percentage versus San Jose.
News
[RELATED: Karlsson takes another big step as return to Sharks nears]
Fleury has had an up-and-down second season in Sin City, despite winning more games than all but three goalies and having more shutouts than all but one entering Wednesday. The 34-year-old has as many months this season (three) with a save percentage below the league-average (.910, as of Wednesday) as he does with a save percentage above.
He'll have two games to round into form before the series begins in San Jose on April 10 or April 11. Which Fleury the Sharks see in the first round will go a long way toward determining if they advance out of the first round.