Washinton Capitals rookie goaltender Zach Fucale makes history!

It isn't often that a National Hockey League goaltender whitewashes his opponent in his first career start, but that's what has taken place tonight in the Motor City.

Washington Capitals goaltender Zach Fucale was tapped as the starting goaltender by head coach Peter Laviolette for tonight's game against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. And 21 saves and 60 minutes later, he's in the team (and NHL) record books. 

Fucale earned his first career shutout tonight in his first ever start, becoming the first ever goaltender in team history to do so and helping his team improve to 7-2-4 on the season. 

And needless to say, he was thrilled afterwards. 

“This is one of the greatest moments so far in my hockey career," the excited Fucale declared after the game. "What a great defensive game everyone played today. I’m a little bit speechless, guys, I’m sorry. This is happening pretty quickly right now. It’s wild." 

Fucale, a second round draft pick by the Montreal Canadiens in 2013, has split time since then between the AHL and ECHL. He's recorded a .933 save percentage in five games with the Hershey Bears this season. 

His start tonight against Detroit was necessitated by starter Vitek Vanecek getting banged up in his team's previous game against the Buffalo Sabres; Ilya Samsonov served as backup. 

Goals from Dmitri Orlov and Lars Eller was all the offense that Washington needed on the night, as both players tallied just ten seconds apart after weathering an early storm by the Red Wings in the first period. 

"I feel like the last few years have gone, been trending in the right direction," Fucale said Wednesday. "Yeah, I got a good thing going and I’m just sticking to my game and I feel like things are working well right now.”