Nashville Predators: Just How Historically Great Was Connor Ingram?

Even though it was a losing effort, the performance Connor Ingram put out for the Nashville Predators in Game 2 was one that should be an instant classic for the franchise.

It’s become abrubtly clear that the Nashville Predators are outmached by the superior Colorado Avalanche through the first two games of the first round series, and yet still Ingram gave the Predators a puncher’s chance to steal a game in Denver.

Unfortunately, very little offensive support came in front of Ingram, and inevitably the Avalanche scored 8:31 into overtime sending the Predators into what feels like an insurmountable 2-0 series defecit.

A performance for the ages in Ingram’s playoff debut

It really is astounding what Ingram did in Game 2 in his first NHL postseason start, and just his fourth career start overall. The spotlight was all over him after the Predators got completely ran out of the building in Game 1 to the tune of a 7-2 dominant Avs win.

Ingram came in for David Rittich after the first period and five goals already given up, and Ingram managed to stop the bleeding by making 30 saves on 32 shots the remainder. This prompted Head Coach John Hynes to make the no-brainer decision to start Ingram in Game 2.

This marked a rare occurence over the last decade as Ingram put up 48 saves, the second-most by a goaltender making his NHL postseason debut, per ESPN Stats and Info:

What’s even more impressive is that Ingram made some ridiculous saves that robbed the Avalanche from once again putting up a big goal total.

Ingram had an Expected Goals Against of 4.64 in all situations, but managed to keep the Avalanche to just one goal through 68 minutes of ice time, per Natural Stat Trick. Just jaw-dropping stuff, and the Predators could’t deliver with hardly any sustained offensive zone time to help their young goaltender.

Check out this save, probably Ingram’s most impressive of the night, where he robs Nazem Kadri with his pad, courtesy of Bally Sports South:

The glimmer of hope the Nashville Predators needed

For comparison, Juuse Saros has also shown he can put up historically great postseason performances and did so just as recently as last year’s playoffs when he posted back-to-back starts of 52 saves and 58 saves against the Carolina Hurricanes, with both being overtime wins.

Shockingly enough, Pekka Rinne only surpassed 48 saves in a playoff game once in his long postseason career. He made 49 saves in a losing effort to the Dallas Stars in his last NHL playoff start in 2019.

Imagine the pressure that Ingram had to be feeling going into this game? He knew the potent offense he was up against, he knew the crowd would be hostile, and he knew this can be a crowing moment in his young NHL career.

Not only did Ingram show that he’s definitely ready to be the regular backup to Saros next season, but he showed he can be relied upon as a regular starter in these playoffs.

Now, obviously the Predators are going to have a short stint if they don’t change things quickly heading into Saturday’s Game 3, but at least we have confidence that Ingram can do his job in between the pipes.

Many are wondering what would’ve happened if Ingram was the Game 1 starter, and honestly we’ll never know for sure. However, it’s fair to say that Ingram would’ve at least kept the score more manageable. Maybe the Predators only lose 4-2 instead of 7-2. Who knows.

It’s going to be extremely difficult for Ingram to follow that Game 2 performance up with another 40-plus save robbery in Game 3. The Avalanche are going to come fast and furiosu once again, and the Nashville Predators better be ready to drastically improve their offensive attack to avoid this being a sweep.