Fleury had a difficult season dealing with the Penguins' two-goalie system, splitting starts with Murray and at times serving strictly as the backup, along with questions about his future in Pittsburgh and trade rumors up until the NHL Trade Deadline passed on March 1.
Fleury had his best stretch after the deadline, going 3-3-2 with a .923 save percentage and 2.55 goals-against average in eight games, including seven starts from March 1 to the end of the season. Fleury was 15-7-5 with a .906 save percentage and 3.16 GAA in 30 games, 27 starts, before the trade deadline.
"I think there was a two-week period there that was a little bit stressful, not knowing what was going to happen," Fleury said. "Other than that, I had to learn how to be ready for games without playing much. That's been a little bit different situation for me."
Fleury credited his family, particularly his daughters, Estelle, 3, and Scarlett, 1, for helping him get through what was one of his most difficult seasons since he arrived in the NHL with Pittsburgh in 2003-04.
"They're great," Fleury said. "I can go home and change my mind, not think about hockey, not think about if it's going good or bad and just be there for them. It changes your mind, and you can back the next day at the rink with a fresh mindset."
Fleury said his mindset coming to the rink Thursday was different because he knew there was an expectation to start the next game.
"Maybe a little bit of a shorter practice for one," Fleury said. "Other than that I was trying to think about those game situations in practice when they come along, just trying to be a little more sharp in those ones. Just trying to get ready for [Friday]."
Forward Bryan Rust and defenseman Trevor Daley did not practice Thursday. Sullivan said each had a maintenance day
