Nashville Predators: Why the Predators will not win the Stanley Cup

Old body wears out

Raise your hand if you are 35 years old or older? My hand is up. And, while I am not a finely tuned athletic specimen, I like to think that I still have game. (Spoiler: I don’t. Although I can knock down a three-pointer at a higher rate than my opponents.)

Pekka Rinne is 35. Coming into this season, talk centered around his age. Can he keep up his solid play? Should he be limited to 60 games of less?

So far, Rinne has been the wall we all hoped he could be, ranking in the top 10 in saves, save percentage and goals-allowed per game.

Yet, he is on pace to play 65 games. Can his body hold up to the speed and demands of the game? Things look promising to this point, but 65 games would be third most in his career.

This means Juuse Saros needs to step up. And, well, he hasn’t yet. Maybe it is the defense letting Saros down and causing Rinne to face so many shots.

Rinne can wear down. If he does, the Predators are in trouble.