Its still early in the NHL season, but there were a pair of great saves made by goaltenders on Wednesday that are legitimate save of the year candidates.
The first comes from Philadelphia Flyers goalie Steve Mason who robbed David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins in the third period of their game. The Flyers were trailing the Bruins 4-2 at the time, and the save was a key turning point, keeping the lead at just two goals. The Flyers would score two goals later in the period to tie the game, before winning it in overtime on a goal by Claude Giroux. It was Giroux’s second goal of the game.
The Bruins face the New York Islanders in Brooklyn on Friday. The Flyers open a three-game homestand Saturday, facing the New York Rangers.
Steve Mason Robs David Pastrnak
Later in the evening, Cam Ward would also make a remarkable save on Matt Duchene of the Colorado Avalanche, perserving a 0-0 tie late in the third period of their game. Ward would finish with the shutout as the Canes won 1-0 in overtime.
Ward’s performance and Victor Rask’s overtime winner gave the Canes their first win in Colorado since 1996. It also gave Carolina just its second win in six games this season.
“I guess it’s been a long time coming and we were due,” Ward said. “It’s always a tough building to play in.”
“It’s absolutely painful,” Duchene said. “I am probably going to have nightmares about that one. I made the move and got it upstairs just in case he was down and he sticks it out and just nicks it enough to go wide. I feel awful right now.”
