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Nashville Predators: Power Ranking the Central Division Goaltenders

By Chad Minton

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Fans cheer Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators as he leaves the ice following a 1-0 shutout win against the Boston Bruins at Bridgestone Arena on November 3, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 3: Fans cheer Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators as he leaves the ice following a 1-0 shutout win against the Boston Bruins at Bridgestone Arena on November 3, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 02: Dallas Stars goalie Anton Khudobin (35) makes a save on Nashville Predators winger Ryan Hartman (38) during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, held on February 2, 2019, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 02: Dallas Stars goalie Anton Khudobin (35) makes a save on Nashville Predators winger Ryan Hartman (38) during the NHL game between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars, held on February 2, 2019, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Stars are surging

I didn’t expect in the preseason to be saying Dallas is shooting up the standings thanks to their goaltending, but here we are. The one thing that was holding them back last season is now their strength in 2018-19. Ben Bishop is making his case for the Vezina Trophy with 33 starts and 2.30 goals against average. He’s having his best year since 2015-16 when he was runner-up in the Vezina voting with Tampa Bay.

The Stars are suddenly nipping at the Predators’ heels in the division race. They’re fresh off a big road win over the Predators and are just eight points behind them in the standings. They’re leaning on reliable goaltending from Bishop, who is posting really impressive numbers at even strength with a save percentage nearly at 93. He’s holding up when the Stars are on the penalty kill as well with a save percentage just under 90.

Nashville Predators Awards for January. dark. Next

Anton Khudobin has 20 starts of his own behind Bishop and is good enough for sixth in the NHL in goals-against average. The Stars now have a deadly one-two punch in net to go along with their top line of Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn and Alexander Radulov. We’re focused on catching up to the first-place Jets, but we should be just as worried about the Stars catching fire. They have the best goaltending in the division right now, and it makes them a dangerous playoff foe.

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