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Nashville Predators: Three Big Surprises Early in the Season

By Chad Minton

BROOKYN, NY - OCTOBER 06: Zan Rinaldo (36) of the Nashville Predators lines up against New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck (15) during the New York Islanders game versus the Nashville Predators on October 6, 2018, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BROOKYN, NY - OCTOBER 06: Zan Rinaldo (36) of the Nashville Predators lines up against New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck (15) during the New York Islanders game versus the Nashville Predators on October 6, 2018, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 11: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators waves to fans as First Star of the Game after a 3-0 shutout win against the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena on October 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 11: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators waves to fans as First Star of the Game after a 3-0 shutout win against the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena on October 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Rinne proving me wrong

You won’t find anyone with more respect for Pekka Rinne than myself. However, I fully expected a dip going into this season after winning the Vezina Trophy. As of now, I’m dead wrong on that prediction. Though five starts Rinne already has a shutout to go along with a .929 save percentage and a goals-against average just over two. It’s a small sample size, but he doesn’t look to be losing any steam at the back end of his career.

His recent undisclosed injury will sideline him the next couple of games, per NHL.com. Hopefully, this doesn’t mean the beginning of the end for Rinne. If he suffered any type of concussion, it’s extremely worrisome at this point in his career. I want him to remain at an elite level for as long as possible, but what worries me is Father Time. Every athlete falls victim to that sooner or later. For Rinne, let’s keep our fingers crossed this doesn’t have any long-term effects on remaining in Vezina form for another season.

It’s a nice surprise to see him off to another great start when I thought he would show some decline. Saros is the future and will eventually become the primary goaltender over Rinne. I expect it to happen at some point this season. I’ll be wrong if Rinne keeps putting up the same numbers he’s put up through his first five starts. If Rinne keeps up these numbers when he does return, he’ll have the Predators in the hunt for another Presidents’ Trophy.

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