Jack Campbell sets record for most consecutive wins by Maple Leafs goaltender
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
In one respect, Jack Campbell stands alone in the 104-year history of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Campbell set the franchise record for most consecutive wins by a Maple Leafs goaltender, notching his 10th straight victory in Wednesday's 3-2 triumph over the Montreal Canadiens.
398 – that’s how many days it’s been since Jack Campbell lost a game.
Campbell collected his 10th straight victory and established a @MapleLeafs franchise record for the longest win streak by a goaltender. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/cHoio4PI1g— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 8, 2021
The 29-year-old surpassed Felix Potvin, Jacques Plante and John Ross Roach, all of whom had recorded nine consecutive wins, while also joining Carey Price as the only goalies in NHL history to begin a season 10-0-0.
Campbell was mobbed by teammates in the immediate aftermath of the victory, sharing a long moment with Auston Matthews and joining Mitch Marner for a heart-warming celebration.
Jack Campbell sets a new Leafs franchise record for the longest win streak by a goaltender
Count them with Marner now, 10-0-0 🧱pic.twitter.com/xcC7wHohsh— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) April 8, 2021
Auston Matthews to Jack Campbell on the ice after setting new franchise record:
"I'm so f****ng proud of you"— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) April 8, 2021
Jack Campbell gets emotional as he looks up at the jumbotron and sees how happy his teammates are for his 10 straight wins pic.twitter.com/c44hUYd6o1
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) April 8, 2021
This milestone is perhaps a perfect summation of Campbell's excellent campaign to date. Entering the year as the nominal backup behind Frederik Andersen, Campbell made the most of sparse playing time through the first two months of the season and has excelled while Andersen has been out of the lineup since March 19 due to a lower-body injury.
At this rate, although there's been no formal declaration, it would be difficult for Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe to list Andersen as the starter over Campbell if and when he returns from injury. Prior to Wednesday's game, Campbell carried a stunning .943 save percentage, 1.53 GAA and a 9.03 goals saved above average (GSAA) — the 12th-best mark in the league — which reflects how many goals a player has saved taking into account their save percentage and shots faced versus the league average.
"We must be playing well. Just to get one win is a big deal, because it's a tough league and we need everybody to win and that's what we've been getting so it's super special and an honour," Campbell said post-game.
Campbell was once considered one of the most decorated American goaltending prospects of all-time when he was selected 11th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2012. Although he didn't meet those early expectations, Campbell is in the midst of an outstanding, unbeaten campaign and is a major reason why this Maple Leafs group is the most promising of the Matthews era.
More from Yahoo Sports