Senators by the Numbers: #40

Patrick Lalime G 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2002-2003, 2003-2004

Born in St. Bonaventure, Quebec in 1974, Lalime was drafted 156^th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1994. He played his junior hockey with the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL before moving on to the ECHL and the IHL. Lalime made his NHL debut during the 1996-1997 season. He set an NHL record by recording the longest unbeaten streak to start a career (16 games, 14-0-2) before losing his first game in OT. His progress stalled the following season, when the young netminder could not come to terms with the Penguins on a new contract and he was forced to return to the IHL. In March, 1998 his rights were traded to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for Sean Pronger, but Lalime never played for Anaheim. Following the 1998-1999 season, the Ducks traded to him to the Ottawa Senators for Ted Donato and Antti-Jussi Niemi. He began the 1999-2000 season in the NHL, as the backup to Ron Tugnutt. Given the starting job in 2000-2001, he ran with the position, recording a 2.35 GAA, .914 SV% and went 36-19-5. Lalime started for the Sens in the playoffs in the second Battle of Ontario series, recording a 2.39 GAA and a .899 SV%. Lalime improved on that playoff experience the following season, when the underdog Senators beat the Philadelphia Flyers in 5 games. Lalime was almost unbeatable, losing only game one by a score of 1-0 in OT and giving up just two goals in the entire series. He recorded three straight shutouts and had a .985 save percentage in the series. He tied an NHL record in game one of Ottawa's second round series against Toronto with his fourth shutout of the playoffs, a 5-0 win. He led all goalies in the playoffs with a .946 save percentage and 1.39 goals against average in 12 games. Lalime had his greatest success the following year, during Ottawa's Presidents' Trophy-winning season. He won 39 games during the regular season and helped the Senators advance to the third round of the Eastern Conference Finals. He finished the playoffs with a .924 save percentage and a 1.82 goals against average. His final season in Ottawa was 2003-2004 and it was defined by his poor playoff performance against the Leafs in the final Battle of Ontario. In the seven-game series, Lalime gave up the first goal in every game. Despite Ottawa winning the Corsi battle, Lalime gave up two soft goals to Leaf forward Joe Nieuwendyk in the first period of game seven, effectively sealing the team's fate. When the Senators signed Dominik Hasek in 2004, Lalime was traded to the St. Louis Blues for a conditional 4^th round pick in 2005. Lalime would never replicate the success he had in Ottawa and his later seasons were hampered by injury. He served as a backup in St. Louis, Chicago, and Buffalo before retiring on July 20, 2011. Known for his Marvin the Martian mask during his time in Ottawa, Lalime currently works as an analyst for RDS.

Robin Lehner G 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014

Born in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1991, Lehner was drafted 46^th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2009. Son of Michael Lehner (a goalie coach who is best known for his work with Henrik Lundqvist), Robin took up hockey at age 10. Guided by his father, he played for Frölunda until he was drafted by the Senators. He moved to Canada and played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. He spent one season with the Greyhounds before joining the Binghamton Senators in 2010. The day after his AHL debut, Lehner was called up because of an injury to Pascal Leclaire. He made his NHL debut at 19 years, two months, when he played four minutes against Montreal. Lehner was an important contributor for the B-Sens during their Calder Cup-winning run in 2011 and was named playoff MVP. He is currently Ottawa's backup goalie.

Best #40: Patrick Lalime

In a few years, Robin Lehner will own this number. But right now, Lalime's extensive body of work edges out Lehner's slender portfolio. While his failings are well documented, Lalime provided Ottawa with some of the best regular season and playoff goaltending in team history before Joe Nieuwendyk ruined everything. Lalime is still Ottawa's franchise leader in games, wins, goals against average, shutouts, and minutes.

Worst #40: N/A

Robin Lehner has been impressive so far in his young career and Patrick Lalime had one shaky playoff series. Neither goaltender qualifies as the worst for the number.

Who wore it best?