Maxime Lagace records his first NHL career shutout

Maxime Lagace (YouTube)

Maxime Lagace of Saint-Augustin, Quebec recorded his first career National Hockey League shutout on Saturday. He made 29 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 1-0 at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Lagace made 11 saves in the first period, 13 saves in the second period and five saves in the third period. Riley Sheahan of St. Catharines, Ontario, and Arttu Ruotsalainen each led the Sabres with three shots on goal each.

The Penguins only goal came at 1:58 of the second period. Canadian Olympic gold medalist Jeff Carter of London, Ontario scored from Frederick Gaudreau of Bromont, Quebec. For Carter, it was his 17th goal of the season and ninth goal in 14 games with the Penguins since being traded from the Los Angeles Kings at the trade deadline. Carter won a gold medal for Canada in men’s hockey at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. 

This was Lagace’s first game with the Penguins. He previously played 17 games over two seasons from 2017 to 2019 with the Vegas Golden Knights. In between his time with the Golden Knights and Penguins, Lagace signed with the Boston Bruins, but never played with them.

This was the Penguins final game of the 2020-21 NHL regular season. With the win, the Penguins won the East Division with 77 points.

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