Yaroslav Askarov debuts for Nashville Predators

Yaroslav Askarov was in Tucson, Arizona on Wednesday when he got the call that he’d join the Nashville Predators in Montreal.

The Nashville Predators were in the midst of a five-game road trip when backup Kevin Lankinen was feeling ill before puck drop Wednesday evening. Lankinen still dressed against the Maple Leafs, but Askarov was recalled to step in.

One night later he made his NHL debut against the Canadiens. Nashville lost 4-3 as Askarov made 31 saves on 35 shots. The Predators ended the road trip 3-2 overall after losing back-to-back games.

“Yea, we lost but I’ll remember this game forever,” Askarov told reporters after his first start.

Askarov is now the 22nd goalie in the Predators history to dress in a game. So far this season in the AHL he’s 13-6-2 with the Milwaukee Admirals posting two shutouts.

According to the Predators Bally Sports South broadcast team Askarov is the youngest goalie to make his NHL debut in franchise history. He’s 20 years, and 211 days old.

“I thought Yaroslav played well,” Hynes said. “I thought we needed to play better in front of him, but a good first star from him making some big saves and was tested a lot, I give him a lot of credit.”

Askarov was named to AHL All-Star Classic the day he was recalled to the Predators, along with Tommy Novak who’s also currently with the Predators.

The Russian netminder was also named AHL Player of The Week ending on Dec. 11 after allowing one goal on 61 shots. He picked up his first professional shutout back on Dec. 9 against the Hartford Wolfpack winning 2-0.

In Montreal Askarov’s first career save as a Predator came against defenseman David Savard 16 seconds into his debut in front of 21,105 fans in Bell Centre.

The Predators did strike first as a puck deflected off of Niederreiter on a shot from Filip Forsberg. Then Askarov’s first goal against came at 13:30 of the first. Jake Evans scored on an odd-man rush knotting it up 1-1.

One of Askarov’s first desperation saves came at 6:09 of the opening period, his 15th save of the night.

After his first period of play in the NHL Montreal had a 2-1 lead after Kirby Dach found the back of the net with five minutes left in the opening frame. Askarov had made 17 saves on 19 shots in his first 20 minutes.

“Yes, of course, it wasn’t easy to see so many shots but it allowed me to feel better,” Askarov said when asked about his first period in the NHL.

Fast forward to the second period where Filip Forsberg tied it up 2-2 only 12 seconds into the period and then it was Cole Caufield on the powerplay to reclaim the lead 3-2 at 10:03 of the second.

Then with 6:54 left in the second period, Askarov made yet another sensational save down on his belly in a full split on Evgeni Dadonov.

After 40 minutes of play, Askarov made 25 saves and was inches away from allowing his first breakaway goal with seven seconds remaining in the second.

Jake Evans broke loose in his own defensive zone and outlasted Askarov, but the puck nicked the post and stayed out. Montreal led 3-2 after 40 minutes of play.

Cole Caufield scored his second powerplay goal 6:15 into the final period and Montreal outlasted Nashville with a 4-2 lead until two minutes left in regulation.

Jusso Parssinen scored his fourth goal of the season at 18:31 of the third. Montreal settled down after a timeout and beat the Predators 4-3 to end Nashville’s five-game road swing.

Up next the Predators will have an off day before playing host to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. The next six of seven games will be home games in Nashville to end of January.