That Didn’t Take Long: Zach Fucale Sets Capitals Franchise Record For Longest Shutout Streak To Begin Capitals Career

Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images

Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2013, Washington Capitals goaltender Zachary Fucale’s NHL debut and first career start was about as perfect as one could ask, shutting out the Detroit Red Wings on November 11, 2021. On Saturday night against the Minnesota Wild, he made Capitals history to continue a solid start to his career.

Without allowing a goal in the opening minutes of the Caps’ game against the Wild, Fucale set a franchise record with the longest shutout streak to begin his Capitals’ career, a mark previously held by Cristobal Huet, who was acquired in a February 2008 trade from the Montreal Canadiens and played just 13 regular season games in a Capitals sweater.

Zach Fucale has set the franchise record for the longest streak without allowing a goal to start their tenure with the team, beating Cristobal Huet’s mark of 80:36 in 2008.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 9, 2022

Re-signed in March 2021 to a two-year contract, Fucale followed up his outstanding NHL debut with 19:06 of shutout hockey in relief of Ilya Samsonov in the Caps’ 5-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on January 8, 2022.

By Michael Fleetwood

About Michael Fleetwood

Michael Fleetwood was born into a family of diehard Capitals fans and has been watching games as long as he can remember. He was born the year the Capitals went to their first Stanley Cup Final, and is a diehard Caps fan, the owner of the very FIRST Joe Beninati jersey and since then, has met Joe himself. Michael joined the NoVa Caps team in 2015, and is most proud of the growth of the NoVa Caps community in that time. An avid photographer, Michael resides in VA.

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