By the Numbers: How #40 Became an Ottawa Senators Staple

Why #40? Sometimes the Number Finds the Player

When fans think about iconic NHL jersey numbers, number “40” usually isn’t part of the conversation. It’s not retired league-wide, it’s not tied to a single superstar, and it rarely shows up on “best numbers” lists. But in Ottawa, number “40” absolutely mattered—and still does—because of Patrick Lalime. His time in a Senators jersey gave the number real meaning and made it unforgettable for a generation of fans.

#40 Arrives in Ottawa at the Right Time

The late 1990s and early 2000s were a turning point for the Senators. The pieces were coming together, but the team needed stability in goal. When Lalime arrived before the 1999–2000 season, wearing number “40”, he provided exactly that. He wasn’t loud or flashy, but he was consistent, calm, and confident—traits that quickly earned him the starting role and the trust of the coaching staff and the locker room.

#40 at His Best: A Franchise-Defining Season

Everything peaked during the 2002–03 season. Alongside 8 shutouts, Lalime posted 39 wins, a single-season franchise record that still stands, and played a major role in Ottawa finishing first overall in the NHL standings. Night after night, number “40” gave the Senators the chance to play their game, knowing the last line of defense was steady. It was the kind of season that turns a good goalie into a lasting part of team history.

Ottawa Senators: President’s Trophy (2003)

Pressure Moments and #40 in the Playoffs

Regular-season success is important, but playoff moments are where reputations are made. Lalime delivered when it mattered most. His postseason run included multiple shutouts in a single playoff year (2001-02; 4 shutouts), placing him among a very small group of goaltenders to ever accomplish that. In tight, physical games where one goal could decide everything, number “40” often looked unbothered by the moment.

Cool Fact: Patrick Lalime still holds the longest unbeaten streak to start an NHL career (16 games)

What #40 Meant to the Senators

Lalime’s value went well beyond what showed up on the stat sheet. He was there for the shift—when Ottawa stopped being a nice story and started being a team nobody wanted to face. Game after game, season after season, number “40” was in the crease as the Senators learned how to win, handle expectations, and push deep into the playoffs. When Lalime’s run in Ottawa wrapped up in 2004, his place near the top of the franchise record book for wins and playoff victories felt earned. He was part of the foundation.

#40’s Place in NHL and Ottawa History

League-wide, number “40” still isn’t a number that jumps off the page. You don’t see it hanging from rafters across the NHL. But in Ottawa, it carries weight. For many fans, number “40” brings back memories of packed buildings, tight playoff games, and the calm that came with knowing the goaltending was solid. Patrick Lalime gave number “40” its identity here. He proved a jersey doesn’t need to be famous to matter—it just needs the right player wearing it when the moments are biggest.