Nashville Predators coach John Hynes told reporters he planned on finalizing his playoff roster after the team’s final practice on Saturday before heading to the NHL bubble in Edmonton on Sunday.
However, in watching the Predators practice and hold intra-squad scrimmages during training camp, the decision regarding which goaltender to start in the team’s Stanley Cup qualifying series against the Arizona Coyotes essentially has been made for him.
Juuse Saros has looked a lot sharper than Pekka Rinne since training camp began last week. That’s not to say the 37-year-old Rinne has performed poorly. It’s just that Saros has played better.
“Personally, I’m still getting comfortable,” Rinne said. “I felt a little rusty at first. But obviously, you feel a little better every time you get a chance to go on the ice. I feel like it’s been good so far.”
In Thursday’s scrimmage, Saros had a few point-blank saves while allowing one goal on 22 shots. Rinne allowed two goals on 11 shots. It wasn’t the only scrimmage that Saros appeared to have a leg up on Rinne either.
During Wednesday’s scrimmage, Saros gave up one goal on 28 shots while Rinne allowed four goals on 17 shots.
“It’s a great opportunity for both guys to get into game situations,” Hynes said on Wednesday of the team’s scrimmages. “When you look at goaltending in practice, it’s different than goaltending in a game…I thought both guys competed hard.
“What I really liked about [Rinne] was a couple goals go in and true to his nature he fights back, he keeps it there and made some big saves after that. On the other side, I thought [Saros] was solid. He made some saves; he didn’t have to play in recovery situations.”
Hynes has been adamant throughout camp that he would not decide on a starting goaltender until the final practice. However, before the NHL season was temporarily suspended in mid-March, Saros was Hynes’ man.
The 25-year-old Finn started 19 games after Hynes took over as coach on Jan. 7 while Rinne started 11. Saros started 15 of Nashville’s final 21 regular season games, posting an 11-4-0 record with a 2.14 goals-against average and .936 save percentage. Rinne struggled with a 2-3-1 record, a 4.14 goals-against average and .887 save percentage in his six starts.
“I've tried to pick it up from where I left off,” Saros said last week. “I try to show every day in practice that I can be the guy. I haven’t really thought too much ahead, but I’m trying to do my best to earn that spot.”
However, Rinne does hold the advantage when it comes to playoff experience. The 6-foot-5 Finn has 89 postseason starts under his belt with a 2.49 goals-against average and .914 save percentage to go along with five shutouts. Saros has played in only seven postseason games, all in relief.
But ultimately, the Predators believe they are a Stanley Cup contender. And while the decision won’t be easy, it should be clear which goaltender gives them the better chance to win now.
Follow Michael Gallagher on Twitter @MGsports_
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July 25, 2020 at 02:30AM
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Starting Saros isn't an easy call, but it's the right call - Nashville Post
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