Juuse Saros Shines In Nashville Predators Season Opener

Questions have been lingering for months about the goaltending situation for the Nashville Predators. Juuse Saros may have answered those questions, at least initially, in the season opener.

A weight has to feel like it’s been lifted off the shoulders of Saros just to get that first win and play well in the win. The Predators didn’t have to overcome the Blue Jackets with a ton of offensive firepower because of shaky goaltender play.

The Predators opened their season on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pekka Rinne had started every season-opener since 2010, until now. The torch finally appears to be with Saros unless poor individual play unravels his season.

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Saros got the start in what turned out to be a very excellent game for him in his debut as the team’s starting goaltender.

The Predators defeated the Blue Jackets 3-1 on a night where Saros was tested early by Columbus, but he was able to make some tough stops to keep the score within reach.

Saros looked sharp and focused between the pipes. He made 29 out of 30 saves and now sits with a .967 save percentage heading into another contest against Columbus on Saturday.

Questions From Training Camp

Along with the other 30 NHL teams, the Predators had an abbreviated training camp before the start of the season.

Including Saros and Rinne, Kasimir Kaskisuo, and Connor Ingram was at camp and vying for a spot on the roster or the taxi squad. Ultimately Ingram was placed on the taxi squad, and Kaskisuo will be going to the AHL.

Training camp featured two scrimmage games for the Predators. These scrimmages provided the only game-like simulations for the team before the season started.

Eyebrows were raised after Saros’ less than savory performance in the first scrimmage. He was facing the JoFA line on a night when they were firing on all cylinders. Saros ultimately let in six goals in the two shortened periods that he played.

While you can’t read too much into a scrimmage performance, it wasn’t something that fans wanted to see from Rinne’s heir-apparent. Saros was able to redeem himself in the next scrimmage by only letting in two goals.

Carrying Momentum

Saros has to be pleased with his performance in the first game. He should also be happy that his teammates did a great job of protecting the net for him. In particular, the big save on the stick of Mattias Ekholm kept Saros from giving up his second goal of the game.

Last year’s team had several issues, but a glaring example of their deficiencies was their inability to protect the net and hanging their goaltenders out to dry.

Although it’s only one game, we have to be encouraged by what we have seen of the Predators’ defense so far. It should also comfort whoever is in the net on any given night.

This season is a big one for Saros. If he is to have a long career with the Predators, similar to Rinne’s, Saros will have to dominate every time he is called upon and prove that he is the Predators’ franchise goaltender once Rinne hangs up his skates.

Saros can’t cost the team games and precious points in the standings. If that appears to be happening on a regular basis, it could force Head Coach John Hynes’ hand to put Rinne in on a more regular basis.

It is only one game, but Saros is off to a good start. He must use the momentum from that first win to carry him forward and silence his critics.

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