Pekka Rinne became just the 12th goalie to score a goal in NHL history Thursday night, scoring an empty netter to cap the Nashville Predators‘ 5-2 win over the host Blackhawks in Chicago.
Rinne’s goal came with 22 seconds remaining, and the 37-year-old was subsequently mobbed by his teammates after his first goal and 14th career point in the NHL.
Rinne is the first goalie to score a goal since Mike Smith did it for Phoenix against Detroit on Oct 19, 2013. Rinne joins Chris Mason as the only goalies to score for the Predators.
Thursday marked the 15th time, including the playoffs, that a goaltender has had a goal. Martin Brodeur did it three times and Ron Hextall scored on two occasions.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.