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Patrick Lalime was drafted 156th overall in the 1993 Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He made his NHL debut three years later in relief on November 16, 1996 against the Rangers and earned his first win on December 6 against the Capitals. Patrick then went out and set an NHL record for the longest unbeaten streak at the start of a career with a 14-0-2 mark. He was NHL Rookie of the Month in December and January and won NHL Player of the Week honours on January 20. By season's end, Patrick had posted a 21-12-2 record with three shutouts and was named to the All-Rookie Team. After signing for a year in the IHL, Patrick's NHL rights were traded to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for Sean Pronger on March 24, 1998. He then played a year in the Mighty Ducks' system before being traded on June 18, 1999 to the Ottawa Senators for Ted Donato and the rights to Antti-Jussi Niemi. In Patrick's first season with the Senators, he split goaltending duties first with Ron Tugnutt and then with Tom Barrasso. Patrick posted a 19-14-3 record, scored three shutouts and won the team's November Molson Cup award for three-star selections.
In 2000-01, Patrick led the Senators to the Northeast Division title with a club record 48 wins and 109 points. Patrick became the Senators number one goalie and posted a 36-19-5 record with a 2.35 goals-against average and seven shutouts. On December 4, Patrick won NHL Player of the Week honours. On February 19, he won his second NHL Player of the Week honour one night after tying a team record with his fifth shutout of the year.
PHOTOS
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