The Montreal Canadiens started their 2024-25 pre-season schedule by pitching a shutout over the Philadelphia Flyers. Though there are not any official information for pre-season contests, this was a wonderful alternative to revisit the franchise’s shutout leaderboard and see ranks on the high.
Prime 5 Shutout Leaders in Canadiens Historical past
5. Invoice Durnan – 34
Invoice Durnan performed his complete profession with the Canadiens, dressing for 383 video games over seven seasons. Because the league’s finest goalie, he gained the Stanley Cup twice and captured six Vezina Trophies.
Along with main the league in wins from 1943 to 1947, Durnan produced the very best GAA in six of his seven campaigns whereas accumulating probably the most shutouts in 1946 (4) and 1949 (10). He had simply two shutouts throughout his first two seasons, however he by no means posted lower than 4 within the ultimate 5 seasons, ending with eight in his ultimate yr, 1949-50.
Durnan was an ambidextrous goaltender who might change his stick hand relying on the state of affairs and he had particular gloves made in order that he might catch pucks with both fingers.
4. Ken Dryden – 46
Like Durnan, Ken Dryden performed for the Canadiens briefly, simply eight seasons from 1970 to 1979. Extremely thought to be one of many recreation’s biggest goalkeepers, he gained the Stanley Cup six occasions and 5 Vezina Trophies.
Dryden was solely 23 when he broke into the NHL and retired by 31, recording 46 shutouts in eight seasons. He led the league within the class on 5 events and reached a private better of 10 in 1976-77.
3. Carey Value – 49
Carey Value is one in every of two netminders on this record to win the Hart Trophy as league MVP whereas backstopping the Canadiens. Over 15 seasons, he tended purpose for Montreal, changing into the franchise’s all-time chief in video games performed and wins.
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Sadly, Value is the one goalie among the many high 5 in shutouts who by no means helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup.
However, because of his longevity, Value reached the highest of a number of statistical classes. This exhibits in his shutout totals, as he completed 49 and by no means reached double digits in a single season, topping out at 9 in 2014-15.
2. Jacques Plante – 58
Jacques Plante is a hockey legend, not for holding the Canadiens’ win document for many years or successful six Stanley Cup titles, however for pioneering the goalie masks.
As one of many workhorse netminders of his period, Plante performed in 556 video games from 1952 to 1963, main the league in wins on 5 events. Along with the victories, he earned the NHL’s lowest GAA six occasions and picked up no fewer than 5 shutouts from 1953 to 1959.
Curiously, Plante posted three consecutive campaigns with 9 shutouts from 1957 to 1959 throughout Montreal’s 5 straight Stanley Cup titles.
1. George Hainsworth – 75
George Hainsworth started his NHL profession nearly a century in the past, in 1926-27. Proper out of the gate as a 31-year-old, he led the league in shutouts with 14 whereas posting a 1.47 GAA.
The next yr, he recorded 26 wins, 13 of them shutouts. Nevertheless, the very best was but to return. In 1928-29, Hainsworth set the NHL document for 22 shutouts in a single season, registering a 0.92 GAA.
Contemplating the Canadiens solely performed 44 video games that season, he gained half of his contests by blanking his opponents. Shockingly, Hainsworth didn’t assist Montreal win the Stanley Cup that season, dropping within the Semi-Finals.
Nevertheless, that yr was the very best statistical marketing campaign of his profession and tenure with the Canadiens. Though he would go on to win two championships, he by no means reached double digits in shutouts once more. He is maintained the highest spot on this record for 91 years.
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