The retired number of former player Terry Sawchuk #1(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
What happened on February 1 in the history of the New York Rangers
On this date in 1970 history was made, but no one knew it was happening at the time. Goaltender Terry Sawchuk got his last NHL win, a shutout, as the Rangers beat the Penguins 6-0 at Madison Square Garden. It was 445th career win and 103rd shutout, at the time, the most of any goaltender in NHL history.
The Rangers had acquired the 40 year old Sawchuk in a trade with Detroit before the season to serve as a backup to Eddie Giacomin and he was precisely that, making only eight appearances.