Fleury practices with Golden Knights for first time since injury

LAS VEGAS -- Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury practiced with the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday for the first time since he was injured Oct. 13.

Fleury was not available to the media after practice but released a text message through the Golden Knights, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
"It was great being back on the ice with my teammates for a full practice today," Fleury said. "I am hopeful I can join the team for game action soon. … We have been playing well and I am looking forward to getting back and doing what I can to help the team win."
Fleury sustained a concussion against the Detroit Red Wings in a 6-3 loss. Since then, the Golden Knights have played four goaltenders (Malcolm Subban, Oscar Dansk, Maxime Lagace and Dylan Ferguson) and at 17-9-1 are four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for first place in the Pacific Division with two games in hand.
Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said Fleury will travel on the Golden Knights' first dad's trip but did not say if he would play this weekend against the Nashville Predators or Dallas Stars.

"It's good to see him out there, for his sake," Gallant said. "He's been out a long time, and getting back out there with the boys, there's nothing better than that."
Fleury was 3-1-0 with a 2.48 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. The Golden Knights are 14-8-1 in his absence, including six wins by Subban and five by Lagace.

"The goalies that have played for us have done an amazing job, but when [Fleury] comes back, it's going to be huge," forward Jonathan Marchessault said. "He's the real leader on our team and he's the guy we want to battle for."
The Golden Knights host the Carolina Hurricanes on Dec. 12, and then play Fleury's former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, on Dec. 14.
"I think it gives us an extra boost to see him out there," Marchessault said. "We want to help him out there to become the goalie he was before he got injured."