In the penultimate game of the 2022-23 season on April 11, Petr Mrazek stole a game in Pittsburgh. Behind five goals from his offense — the most the team had scored in almost a full calendar month — he stopped 38 of 40 Penguins shots to earn the win and end Pittsburgh’s postseason streak.
The next time Mrazek got the crease in a regular-season game was once again in Pittsburgh, this time to start the new year. And he once again picked up the win against a heavily-favored Penguins team — making an identical 38 saves against 40 shots.
This performance didn’t end a playoff streak for the Penguins, but it was the best season-opening performance by a Blackhawks netminder in nearly 70 years. Indeed, the only Blackhawks goalie to start a season with more saves was Al Rollins in 1955!
