By the Letters: “S” for Most 'Shots Against' in NHL History
In the Professors’ Press Box, a previous exploration of letter “Q” highlighted the quality of four goalie legends who emerged from the “Q”—the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League: Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Patrick Roy. As the “By the Letters” series continues, for letter “S” we find a statistical category that truly defines their shared legendary status: ‘Shots Against’ (SA) throughout their NHL careers.
In the storied NHL history, these four legends stand alone as the only goalies to face more than 28,000 shots. As noted in previous articles regarding the 1,000-game wall and the 25,000-save club, these aren't just the four leaders; they are the only members of some of goaltending's most exclusive territory.
1. Martin Brodeur (31,709 Shots Against): The gold standard of durability. While he famously played in a disciplined defensive system in New Jersey, Martin Brodeur’s sheer longevity meant he faced more rubber than any goalie in NHL history. Alongside his three Stanley Cup rings, Brodeur remains the only goalie to eclipse the 31,000-SA mark (over 1,266 NHL games).
2. Roberto Luongo (30,924 Shots Against): Roberto Luongo was the definition of a volume workhorse. Often playing for teams that leaned heavily on his brilliance, Luongo is one of only two goalies to surpass 30,000-SA mark. Luongo’s career (1,044 NHL games) was defined by his ability to stay mentally sharp while facing a high number of shots on any given night.
3. Marc-André Fleury (29,821 Shots Against): Marc-Andre Fleury entertained fans across four franchises. Alongside his three Stanley Cup rings, Fleury posted 76 shutouts over 1,051 NHL games. As written in the Professors’ Press Box, Marc-Andre Fleury will be remembered as one of the greatest NHL goalies—from jaw-dropping saves to postgame hugs; he made the game feel bigger, brighter, and enjoyable.
4. Patrick Roy (28,346 Shots Against): While being credited with popularizing the butterfly style, Patrick Roy won four Stanley Cups and three Conn Smythe Trophies throughout his illustrious NHL career (1,029 games). Roy’s 28,346 shots faced were the foundation upon which dynasties in Montreal and Colorado were built. Roy didn’t just stop shots; he commanded the crease with a ‘level of compete’ that helped change the history of the game.
S: Shots Against (SA)—The Seemingly Unbreakable Quartet of the NHL Crease
These four NHL goalie legends are the only four to play over 1,000 games, the only members of the 25,000-save club, and the only four to face over 28,000 shots. When we look at NHL history through the lens of letter “S”, these “Q” (QMJHL) graduates are the undisputed ‘Shots Against’ (SA) legends of the crease.