While the professional hockey world has had its eyes on Alexander Ovechkin in recent days, the left winger's history-making achievement helped a current Rochester Americans goaltender pick up a cool stat of his own.
Devon Levi, who splits his playing time between Rochester and the Buffalo Sabres, is one of only 28 goalies who Ovechkin has not scored a goal against in his 20 years playing for the NHL, according to a newly-released "King of Zero" campaign by beer company Budweiser.
"With 20 years playing in the NHL to-date and 1,487 regular-season games, a total of 28 goalies are in the illustrious #KingofZero crew," a Budweiser spokesperson said in a written statement Tuesday. "To honour these elite shot-stoppers, Budweiser Zero delivered custom cans to each of the ones who shut out the newly appointed GOAT over the years. Each has been designed with their jersey number, shots faced and the stat that says it all: zero goals against."
Here's what to know.
What history did Alex Ovechkin recently make?
The Great 8 picked up goal number 895 — surpassing Wayne Gretzky's NHL record of 894 career goals — during the Washington Capitals' game against the New York Islanders Sunday.
Ovechkin, 39, entered this season needing 42 goals to break Gretzky's record, which has stood since 1999, USA TODAY reported. The Washington captain scored twice on Friday to tie the record and again on Sunday to become the NHL's all-time leader.
How many games did Levi play in against Ovechkin?
According to Budweiser, Levi shut out Ovechkin in four games throughout both of their careers.
The 23-year-old netminder was drafted in the 7th round of the 2020 NHL entry draft by the Florida Panthers, traded to the Sabres in July 2021 and is currently in his third season with the organization.
Which other goalies made the list?
Two former Sabres also kept the backs of their nets clear of the Great 8's shots — Michal Neuvirth, who played in seven tilts against Ovechkin, and Jocelyn Thibault, who took the ice in five games against him. Here are the other goaltenders around the league crowned with the triumph:
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Vitek Vanecek, 19 games
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Mike Condon, 18 games
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Mathieu Garon, 16 games
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Joey Daccord, 14 games
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Kevin Lankinen, 14 games
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Manny Legace, 14 games
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Joel Blomqvist, 11 games
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Manny Fernandez, 10 games
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Rob Zepp, 10 games
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Joel Hofer, eight games
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Akira Schmid, eight games
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Garret Sparks, six games
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Erik Ersberg, five games
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Anthony Stolarz, four games
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Erik Kallgren, four games
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Jeff Zatkoff, four games
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Jean-Francois Berube, three games
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Lukas Dostal, three games
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David Aebischer, two games
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Collin Delia, two games
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Braden Holtby, two games
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Curtis Joseph, two games
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Arvid Soderblom, two games
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Jakub Dobes, one game
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Trent Miner, one game
