Given all the outstanding goaltending we’ve seen this postseason, it’s no surprise a bunch of records have been set.
First, it was Los Angeles’ Jonathan Quick tying Terry Sawchuk’s mark for eight consecutive wins allowing two goals or fewer.
Then, it was Phoenix’s Mike Smith becoming the first goalie in NHL history to post a shutout -- on the road -- with his team trailing three games to none in the series.
Last night, another goaltending record fell by the wayside.
Martin Brodeur picked up an assist on Zach Parise’s empty netter, his fourth helper of the playoffs. That broke a seven-way tie for most assists (three) in a single postseason from a goalie, previously shared by Glenn Healy, Grant Fuhr (x2), Ken Dryden, Gilles Gilbert, Kirk McLean and Tom Barrasso.
Even more impressive? Here are some players still participating in the postseason with fewer assists than Marty: Jeff Carter, Patrik Elias, Radim Vrbata and Carl Hagelin.
Even more impressive? As pointed out by Kevin Woodley of In Goal Magazine, Brodeur is now one shy of Pekka Rinne’s NHL-leading five assists during the regular season.
Of course, it took the Nashville ‘tender 73 games to get his five assists. It took Brodeur 16 to get four.