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NHL Record for Lowest Goals-against Average in a Career

Alec Connell holds the NHL record with 1.916 gaa (1924-25 to 1936-37).

Top of the list

Lowest Goals-Against Average, Career (Minimum: 100 Games Played): the leaders
RankPlayerGAASeasonGPWinsShutouts
1Alec ConnellSEN, DFL, NYA, MMR1.9161924-25 to 1936-3741819381
2George HainsworthMTL, TOR1.9331926-27 to 1936-3746524694
3Lorne ChabotNYR, TOR, MTL, CHI, MMR, NYA2.0221926-27 to 1936-3741320071
4Charlie GardinerCHI2.0241927-28 to 1933-3431611242
5Tiny ThompsonBOS, DET2.071928-29 to 1939-4055328481
6Roman CechmanekPHI, LAK2.082000-01 to 2003-0421211025

The full top 50

Lowest Goals-Against Average, Career (Minimum: 100 Games Played): NHL goaltender records
RankPlayerGAASeasonGPWinsShutouts
1Alec ConnellSEN, DFL, NYA, MMR1.9161924-25 to 1936-3741819381
2George HainsworthMTL, TOR1.9331926-27 to 1936-3746524694
3Lorne ChabotNYR, TOR, MTL, CHI, MMR, NYA2.0221926-27 to 1936-3741320071
4Charlie GardinerCHI2.0241927-28 to 1933-3431611242
5Tiny ThompsonBOS, DET2.071928-29 to 1939-4055328481
6Roman CechmanekPHI, LAK2.082000-01 to 2003-0421211025
7Dave KerrNYA, MMR, NYR2.1351930-31 to 1940-4143020451
8Dominik HasekCHI, BUF, DET, OTT2.2021990-91 to 2007-0873538981
9Ken DrydenMTL2.2381970-71 to 1978-7939725846
10Martin BrodeurNJD, STL2.2421991-92 to 2014-151,266691125
11Tuukka RaskBOS2.2772007-08 to 2021-2256430852
12Roy WortersPIR, NYA, MTL2.2851925-26 to 1936-3748417167
13Roman TurekDAL, STL, CGY2.3061996-97 to 2003-0432815927
14Flat WalshMMR, NYA2.3171926-27 to 1932-331114812
15Clint BenedictSEN, MMR2.3171917-18 to 1929-3036218957
16Ben BishopSTL, OTT, TBL, LAK, DAL2.3242008-09 to 2019-2041322233
17Normie SmithMMR, DET2.3261931-32 to 1944-451988117
18Gerry McNeilMTL2.3411947-48 to 1956-5727611928
19Andy AitkenheadNYR2.3471932-33 to 1934-351064711
20Bill DurnanMTL2.3561943-44 to 1949-5038320834
21Marty TurcoDAL, CHI, BOS2.3572000-01 to 2011-1254327541
22Jacques PlanteMTL, NYR, STL, TOR, BOS2.3751952-53 to 1972-7383743782
23Manny LegaceLAK, DET, STL, CAR2.411998-99 to 2009-1036518724
24Pyotr KochetkovCAR · active2.432021-22 to 2026-271307611
25Pekka RinneNSH2.4332005-06 to 2020-2168336960
26Henrik LundqvistNYR2.4332005-06 to 2019-2088745964
27Cory SchneiderVAN, NJD, NYI2.4332008-09 to 2021-2241017126
28Evgeni NabokovSJS, NYI, TBL2.4361999-00 to 2014-1569735359
29Corey CrawfordCHI2.4452005-06 to 2019-2048826026
30Josh HardingMIN2.4542002-03 to 2013-141516010
31Cristobal HuetLAK, MTL, WSH, CHI2.4572002-03 to 2009-1027212924
32John Ross RoachTSP, TOR, NYR, DET2.4591921-22 to 1934-3549121958
33Antti RaantaCHI, NYR, ARI, CAR2.4782013-14 to 2023-2427713920
34Hap HolmesTAN, DCG2.4791917-18 to 1927-281033917
35Miikka KiprusoffSJS, CGY2.4882000-01 to 2012-1362331944
36Niklas BackstromMIN, CGY2.4922006-07 to 2015-1641319628
37Chris OsgoodDET, NYI, STL2.4921993-94 to 2010-1174440150
38Glenn HallDET, CHI, STL2.4961952-53 to 1970-7190640784
39Ed BelfourCHI, SJS, DAL, TOR, FLA2.4961988-89 to 2006-0796348476
40Andrei VasilevskiyTBL · active2.4992014-15 to 2026-2760437442
41Manny FernandezDAL, MIN, BOS2.5031994-95 to 2008-0932514315
42Terry SawchukDET, BOS, TOR, LAK, NYR2.5041949-50 to 1969-70971445103
43Jaroslav HalakMTL, STL, WSH, NYI, BOS, VAN, NYR2.5042006-07 to 2022-2358129553
44Jake OettingerDAL · active2.5062020-21 to 2026-2731118719
44Johnny BowerNYR, TOR2.5061953-54 to 1969-7055225037
46Carey PriceMTL2.5072007-08 to 2021-2271236149
47Igor ShesterkinNYR · active2.5092019-20 to 2026-2733019022
48Jonathan QuickLAK, VGK, NYR2.5112007-08 to 2025-2682941065
49David AebischerCOL, MTL, PHX2.5172000-01 to 2007-0821410613
50Anton KhudobinMIN, BOS, CAR, ANA, DAL, CHI2.5192009-10 to 2022-2326011411

Top 50 of 361 lines on the NHL's list, ties kept. Source: NHL Records.

About these records

Every record list comes from the NHL's official records database (records.nhl.com): 808 regular-season and playoff records for skaters, goalies and teams. We keep the top 50 of each list, with ties, and refresh lists with active players daily, so career climbs like Alex Ovechkin's goal total update the morning after a game.

Records cover the league's whole history, so eras matter: scoring was far higher in the 1980s, goalie stats like saves and save percentage start in 1955-56 or later, and time on ice, hits and blocks start in 2005-06. Each list notes its own limits.

Active players are flagged, so you can see who is climbing a list this season. For the milestones those players are chasing tonight, see the milestone watch.

More NHL records and milestones

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  • Streaks

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  • Hat tricks

    Every hat trick this season and the leaders since 2017-18

  • Gordie Howe hat tricks

    Goal, assist and a fight in one game

  • Game highs

    Most shots, saves, hits and goals in one game this season

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    Rookie leaders, points pace and the Calder race

  • Awards

    Trophy winners and this season's award races with odds

  • Head to head

    All-time records between any two teams

Frequently asked questions

What is the NHL record for lowest goals-against average in a career?

Alec Connell holds the NHL record for lowest goals-against average in a career with 1.916 (1924-25 to 1936-37).

Who is the active leader for lowest goals-against average in a career?

Pyotr Kochetkov is the highest active player on the list at 2.43, rank 24 all time.