Florida Panthers goaltender Chris Driedger of Winnipeg, Manitoba picked up a shutout on Saturday in his first National Hockey League regular season start. He made 27 saves as the Panthers blanked the Nashville Predators 3-0 at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida.
Driedger made eight saves in the first period, 10 saves in the second period and nine saves in the third period. Filip Forsberg led the Predators with seven shots on goal. The native of Ostervala, Sweden recorded almost one quarter of the Predators total shots on net.
Anton Stralman scored two of the three Panthers goals. Aleksander Barkov had the other goal for Florida.
This was not only Driedger’s first career shutout and first career start in the NHL, but his first NHL win as well. He had played three prior games with the Ottawa Senators and had a record of zero wins and one loss. Driedger was making his first career appearance with the Panthers since he signed as a free agent with Florida on July 3. 2018.
It has been a productive season for the Panthers. They are currently in second place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 13 wins, eight regulation losses and five losses in extra time for 31 points.
