On this day in 2010, goaltender Kari Lehtonen earned his first victory wearing a Dallas Stars uniform in memorable fashion. Lehtonen turned aside 45 of 47 shots in an 8–2 win over the San Jose Sharks at the American Airlines Center, posting a .957 save percentage on the night and leading the Stars to a dominant victory. 

Lehtonen was acquired by the Stars in February 2010 and quickly became a key player in Dallas’ net. Over his time with the team, he played 445 games, recording 216 wins, 150 losses, and 50 overtime or shootout losses, with a 2.63 goals-against average (GAA), a .912 save percentage, and 24 shutouts.

His tenure in Dallas lasted nearly a decade from 2009 to 2018, making him one of the franchise’s most reliable and consistent goaltenders. 

Drafted 2nd overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2002, which was the highest selection ever for a European goalie at the time, Lehtonen went on to compile 310 career NHL wins, a 2.71 GAA, and a .912 save percentage over 649 games, cementing his place among the league’s underrated goaltenders of his era.