"People have to keep in mind that list doesn't necessarily mean you have COVID and you're out for two weeks," Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer said prior to Fleury being removed from protocol. "There's been a number of false positives out there. ... We're working through that process right now."
Fleury, who was placed in protocol Thursday and did not take part in the morning skate Friday, allowed four goals on 29 shots before being pulled in the third period of a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday. Logan Thompson made two saves in his NHL debut in relief.
Fleury started 13 of the previous 14 games for the Golden Knights with Robin Lehner injured. Lehner was assigned to Henderson of the American Hockey League on a conditioning loan Wednesday.
With Fleury absent from the morning skate, Thompson and
Dylan Ferguson
were the two goalies on the ice. Ferguson has played one NHL game, a relief appearance Nov. 14, 2017.
"They are both talented," defenseman Shea Theodore said. "I think the amount of times that they are staying late after practice, getting those extra shots, they want to get better. I think it was good for Thompson] to get in the game the other night and I think they're both really good goalies."
[Oscar Dansk
is the only other goalie to play for Vegas this season. He started and made 25 saves in his season debut March 5, a 5-4 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks.
"We're a tight group here, so they've blended in just fine," forward Ryan Reaves said. "We joke around with them just like we joke around with any of the players. They're going to be fine. We're going to help them out. Just got to talk them through and make sure they are comfortable just like any young kid that's coming up."
Fleury is 12-5-0 and leads the NHL among goalies to play at least 10 games with a 1.73 goals-against average, .938 save percentage and four shutouts.
"I think the way that we approach the game, we can't be expecting 'Flower' to bail us out of so many games," Theodore said. "I think we just have to be better as a team no matter who is in net."
Vegas had four games postponed due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus (Jan. 28-Feb. 3; Feb. 25) and has played 24 games this season, fewer than all but the Dallas Stars (21) and New Jersey Devils (22).
The Golden Knights (16-6-1) were first in the Honda West Division; the Blues (14-8-4) are second. The teams also play in St. Louis on Saturday.
DeBoer and two assistants were unable to coach against the Blues on Jan. 26 when they were placed into protocol. Vegas was coached by general manager Kelly McCrimmon assisted by the Henderson staff.
Golden Knights forward Tomas Nosek was pulled during a game against the Anaheim Ducks on Feb. 9 after a positive COVID-19 test.
NHL.com independent correspondent Louie Korac contributed to this report
