Chris Driedger of Winnipeg, Manitoba recorded his third career National Hockey League shutout on Sunday. The Florida Panthers netminder made 32 saves in a 3-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets from BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Driedger made eight saves in the first period, 11 saves in the second period, and 13 saves in the third period. Cam Atkinson and Seth Jones each led the Blue Jackets with five shots on goal each.
MacKenzie Weegar of Ottawa, Ontario, and Aleksander Barkov led the Panthers in scoring with two points each. Weegar had two assists, while Barkov, who is the Panthers team captain, had one goal and one assist for two points. The other Panthers’ goal scorers were Frank Vatrano and Gustav Forsling.
Driedger now has a record of 11 wins, four regulation losses, and two losses in extra time. He has a goals against average of 2.05 and a save percentage of .931. Driedger’s other shutouts came in a 3-0 Panthers win over the Nashville Predators on November 30, 2019, and in a 2-0 Panthers win over the Predators on March 20, 2021.
The Panthers currently lead the Central Division with 56 points. They are also red hot as they have won six games in a row. With a record of 26 wins, nine regulation losses, and four losses in extra time, the Panthers have two more points than the second place Tampa Bay Lightning, the defending Stanley Cup champions.