Nashville Predators: Too Much of a Good Thing in the Crease?

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There’s an old saying that too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Is that the case with the Nashville Predators current situation at the goaltender position?

A goalie can either make or break your team. Granted you have to score goals in order to ultimately win, but if you look at teams like the Edmonton Oilers, they have more firepower on their top line than some teams have in an entire roster, however, have struggled to make a deep run in the playoffs due to mediocre goaltending.

The Predators have had just the opposite of this happen. They have typically had phenomenal goaltending in the likes of Pekka Rinne, Tomas Vokoun, and Chris Mason, to name a few. The Predators have always had strong crease protection but have lacked in goal scoring.

Currently, Juuse Saros is doing more of the same for this franchise. Stellar goaltending is having to carry the heavy load.

Let’s take a look at goalies present and goalies of the future of the Nashville Predators franchise.

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The Juice is Loose

Juuse Saros has been outstanding for the Predators in net, minus his first ten games each season.

Since 2020-2021, Saros is third in the NHL in games played at 140 games, only behind Connor Hellebuyck (150) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (141).

Looking at some of Saros’ stats over that stretch, he is second in shots against and second in saves.

One area that is really impressive about Saros is his expected goals against, he is currently at 386.1 expected goals against however has only allowed 346 goals. This means that he has saved 40.1 more goals than expected of him. He ranks first in the NHL of all goaltenders playing at least 125 games over that time.

Next. Juuse Saros is Nashville's Savior. dark

Then there are high danger chances. Again, Saros ranks first in high danger chances save percentage with an .844. Overall save percentage is more of the same, with a .921 save percentage which puts him in the top position of goaltenders with at least 125 games played.

Saros has been the backbone of this franchise for the past few years since Pekka Rinne went into retirement. His outstanding play has been key to the success of the organization and without him, we all saw what happened last season in the playoffs. The first every playoff sweep suffered in franchise history.

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Outstanding back-up goaltending

Kevin Lankinen has been a delightful surprise as the back-up to Saros this season. Almost too good to be quite honest. Due to how effective he has been, it is only a matter of time until he gets paid somewhere else and is no longer in a Nashville Predators sweater.

Lankinen has been called upon 11 times in the 2022-23 season for the Predators. He has been a huge part of the success on back-to-back sets. Lankinen’s record is 4-1-1 on the second half of back-to-backs.

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Lankinen’s 2.64 GAA and .924 save percentage is what has been so impressive about him. The Predators know that any night they have to rely on “Lanks” he is going to give them an opportunity to win.

This strength in a back-up goalie is not something the Predators have been used to coming off last season with David Rittich backing up Saros. Last season with Rittich in net, the Predators went 6-3-4.

The combination of Saros and Lankinen is arguably the best goaltending duo in the NHL. It’s difference between having zero chance at the postseason and thinking draft lottery odds and actually having a chance to finish in the top-three of the Central Division.

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Up and coming stars in the crease

Looking at the Nashville Predators prospects, Yaroslav Askarov and Devin Cooley are two names that definitely stick out. Currently playing in the AHL with the Nashville Predators affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, the two goalies are making a name for themselves.

Askarov has played in 26 games for the Admirals this season and has a 14-8-3 record with two shutouts. He is a 20-year-old, 6-foot, 4-inch, 187-pound Russian goaltender that catches with his right hand. With the Admirals, Askarov has a 2.80 GAA and .901 save %.

This has been Askarov’s first season playing in North America, which makes it all the more impressive how quickly he is catching on to a much different style. He also wasn’t used regularly during his time in the KHL and VHL.

The Predators have called upon Askarov once thus far this season on the second half of a back-to-back in which Lankinen was out due to illness.

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The Nashville Predators defense did not help Askarov any, forcing the young rookie netminder to face 19 shots on goal in the first period. Askarov answered the call and made 17 saves in that period. Eventually the Predators would lose his debut game though 4-3 against the Montreal Canadiens.

Then there is Cooley. He has played in 16 games with Milwaukee this season and has a 10-6 record posting a 3.04 GAA and .902 save %.

The 25-year-old, 6-foot 5-inch goalie has not seen any time in the NHL yet, however one would believe that as he develops, he will get the nod at some point.

Future in the crease is solid

While most of the Nashville Predators faithful are wondering what will happen with Lankinen at the trade deadline, I can assure you this; whether the Predators are able to keep him or not, there is not a shortage of goaltending in this franchise.

Askarov is the likely candidate as the backup to Saros, this season or next, and with the Predators development of young goaltenders, Askarov will be ready when that time comes.

It definitely helps when you have goaltending coach Ben Vanderklok, development coach Dave Rook, and Pekka Rinne assisting in developing these young stars.

Now, like I said before, you can have the best offense in the league but if you have mediocre goaltending, you will not succeed. It goes the other way too; goaltenders can only do so much, and this team has to rally in front of their goalies and score more if they want to be successful.

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