Editing Ron Tugnutt (section)

===Career breakthrough===
In 1995, Tugnutt signed a one-year deal with the [[Washington Capitals]], and subsequently spent the entire 1995–96 season with their AHL affiliate, the [[Portland Pirates]]. He was productive in Portland, helping lead the Pirates to the [[Calder Cup]] Finals.<ref>The AHL.com, [http://www.theahl.com/AHLNews96-97/apr23_ron.html Portland rejuvanates Tugnutt's career]</ref>

This strong performance caught the attention of the [[Ottawa Senators]]. Goaltending coach [[Phil Myre]] helped Tugnutt work on fundamentals, and gained confidence and improved his game each season. While in Ottawa, he went from fighting for the backup position with [[Mike Bales]] to splitting duties with starter [[Damian Rhodes]] the next two seasons, and became the team's undisputed starting goaltender by 1999.

On April 12, 1997, Tugnutt shutout the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in the final game of the regular season. Tugnutt's father had just died and immediately following the win Tugnutt pointed to the rafters to signify the win was for his father, in what became an iconic image of Tugnutt. This win propelled the Senators to their first playoff berth.<ref name="ottawacitizen.com">{{cite web|url=https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/hockey/team-tugnutt-relishes-time-together-as-a-hockey-family|title=Team Tugnutt relishes time together as a hockey family (with video)|date=11 November 2014|work=Ottawa Citizen}}</ref>

In [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]], Tugnutt had the best season of his career, and one of the best by an NHL goaltender in the modern era. He posted a league-best [[goals against average]] of 1.79, placed second in the league in save percentage at .925, had a career high in wins, and tied a career high in shutouts. This outstanding play, and an injury to [[Curtis Joseph]], gave Tugnutt the opportunity to play in the [[1999 NHL All-Star Game]].

The next season, Rhodes was shipped to the expansion [[Atlanta Thrashers]], giving Tugnutt sole possession of the starting job. However, he was unable to match his previous season and Ottawa traded him to the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] for an experienced playoff goaltender, [[Tom Barrasso]].

After arriving in Pittsburgh, Tugnutt took over the starting job from [[Jean-Sébastien Aubin]] and helped lead Pittsburgh deep into the playoffs. Tugnutt was in goal for the May 4, 2000, playoff game against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in which he made 70 saves on 72 shots. The 72nd shot was a goal scored by [[Keith Primeau]] of the Flyers at 12:01 of the fifth [[overtime (ice hockey)|overtime]], winning the game for Philadelphia 2–1, the longest NHL game since the 1930s.

Following his performance with Pittsburgh, Tugnutt became one of the most sought-after [[free agent]] goaltenders on the market. Both Ottawa and Pittsburgh attempted to re-sign Tugnutt but were unable to match the lucrative contract offered by the expansion [[Columbus Blue Jackets]].<ref>''Post-Gazette'', [http://www.post-gazette.com/penguins/20000630pens2.asp Sens want Tugnutt Back, Tugnutt hot on free agent market]</ref><ref>Canoe Sports Slam Hockey, {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120724085750/http://www.canoe.ca/HockeyColumbusArchive/jul4_tug.html Tugnutt Signs with Columbus]}}</ref>

During Columbus' inaugural season, Tugnutt was considered their backbone. Tugnutt's 22 wins broke another NHL record for most wins on an [[expansion team]], and his .917 save percentage was among the best in the league.<ref>The Sports Network, [http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=nhl/misc/canamucio_archive/crashin_net_nov22.htm Tugnutt was the backbone to Columbus]</ref>

The team's second season was not as impressive as the first. Tugnutt battled injuries and ended up sharing time with young netminder [[Marc Denis]]. General Manager [[Doug MacLean]] gave Denis the opportunity to be the sole starter on the club, and traded Tugnutt to the [[Dallas Stars]].<ref>''Hockey Informer'', [http://www.hockeyinformer.com/web/fantasy/editorials/editorial1.shtml Denis had potential to be starter]</ref>

In [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]] Tugnutt was the backup to [[Marty Turco]]. In January 2003, Turco suffered an ankle injury that allowed Tugnutt to start almost 20 straight games, and he posted back to back shutouts during that stretch. For the season, he played 31 games and posted a 15-10-5 record including four shutouts.

The [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]] season was possibly Tugnutt's toughest in the NHL, as by January he only received three starts. He was sent down to the minors for the first time in almost ten years to get some playing time with the [[Utah Grizzlies]]. Just five games in, Tugnutt pulled his groin and was out until after the All Star break.<ref>AllSports.com,[http://www.allsports.com/cgi-bin/showstory.cgi?story_id=47393 Tugnutt pulls groin in minors]</ref> Soon after, he was recalled to the Dallas Stars. After two solid starts, one of which was a shutout, Tugnutt received a break when Turco received a four-game suspension.<ref>ESPN, [https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=1768163 Turco Suspended 4 Games]</ref> He retired following the 2003–04 season.