Garret Sparks, making his NHL debut, stopped all 24 shots that came his way in leading the Leafs to a 3-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night Air Canada Centre.
The native of Elmhurst, Ill. became the first goalie in franchise history to post a shutout in his first career game.
“The guys in front of me tonight kept everything to the outside and they kept it manageable. I really have them to thank for it,” Sparks said after the game. Moments earlier, the 22-year-old netminder had been brought to tears of joy during a post-game on-ice interview by in-arena host Lauren Howe.