Boston Bruins goalie makes NHL History on Sunday
The NHL-leading Boston Bruins beat the San Jose Sharks for the 11th straight time, 4-0 on Sunday night. Defensemen Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy scored highlight-reel goals, and Linus Ullmark made 17 saves to make history. With the win, Ullmark becomes the fastest goalie to 25 wins. He now sports an amazing 25-2-1 record with a .938 save percentage and 1.82 GAA.
"Our bench was really motivated by it,» Boston's first-year coach Jim Montgomery said of the McAvoy and Lindholm goals, «When those two guys, you have two studs out there that are making plays like that, not only what it does for our bench, but it deflates the other team.»
Ullmark was recently named as a first-time All-Star. He had a relatively easy game before leaving 8:01 into the period with a skate-blade issue, and backup Jeremy Swayman made one stop in relief before Ullmark returned 2:28 later.
"I have no clue,» Ullmark said of what happened to his skate, «I had some skate issues before the game, but we took care of that. ... A flat tire, that's for sure. That was weird. I was just happy they didn't shoot. It's so much easier when you're standing up. Now, you have to sit.»
Ullmark reached the 25-win plateau in just 28 decisions. No goaltender in NHL history has reached 25 wins in fewer decisions, as confirmed by ESPN's Arda Ocal on Sunday night.
The last goaltender to hold the record for fewest decisions to 25 wins played for the Bruins. Tiny Thompson needed 29 decisions to win 25 games during the 1929-30 season.
Boston holds the league's best record at 37-5-4, good for 78 points and a 14-point lead in the Atlantic Division.
| POLL | ||
Will Linus Ullmark win the Vezina trophy this year? | ||
| Yes, clearly the best goalie in the league | 51 | 81 % |
| No, only because Boston is so dominant | 12 | 19 % |
| List of polls | ||
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