The NHL has been tracking shots against goaltenders since 1983-1984. Since that time, a goaltender has faced 2400 shots against just four times: Felix Potvin in 1996-97, Marc Denis in 2002-03, Roberto Luongo in 2003-04 and Luongo again in 2005-06. If the Nashville Predators keep coughing up shots and Barry Trotz maintains his usage levels of Pekka Rinne, a fourth man is going to join that illustrious group.
Nashville is currently last in the league in shots against at 33.1 per game. Pekka Rinne has started 21 of Nashville's 22 games and has played 88% of Nashville's goalie minutes. It's highly unlikely that Rinne will start 78 games this season, but it's possible -- as recently as two years ago, Martin Brodeur started 76 games and played 90% of New Jersey's minutes. Given Nashville's current shots against rates, should Rinne duplicate Brodeur's workload, he'll face 2,446 shots.
Year | Team | Shots against | |
Roberto Luongo | 2005-06 | Florida | 2488 |
Roberto Luongo | 2003-04 | Florida | 2475 |
Pekka Rinne | 2011-12 | Nashville | 2446 |
Felix Potvin | 1996-97 | Toronto | 2438 |
Marc Denis | 2002-03 | Columbus | 2404 |
That workload places Rinne third all-time (since 1983) in shots against.
If he stays on his current pace and starts 78 games, Roberto Luongo's record is in jeopardy.