Predlines
Fansided

Three Positives that Have Kept Nashville Predators Afloat with 30 Games Left

By Kyle Fleming

Cody Glass #8 of the Nashville Predators celebrates a goal by Roman Josi #59 (not pictured) against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on January 16, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Cody Glass #8 of the Nashville Predators celebrates a goal by Roman Josi #59 (not pictured) against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on January 16, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Superb Goaltending

Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen have been outstanding this season for the Nashville Predators. After coming off a 2021-22 season where the Predators had a mediocre backup for Saros in David Rittich, the new addition of Lankinen during the offseason has proved to be a good move by David Poile and the Predators organization.

Saros has been called upon to start in 40 games and Lankinen has gotten the start 11 times. The remaining game was the debut of up and comer Yaroslav Askarov on January 12.

With the tandem of Saros and Lankinen between the pipes, the Predators have given up 136 goals.

Related Story. Predators Goalie Situation. light

Saros, coming off his 2021-22 Vezina nomination, has posted a 2.79 GAA and .917 save percentage. Recent bad outings by the team around him has hurt his individual numbers, but we all know this isn’t primarily on him.

The confidence in Lankinen is something that the Predators have lacked in a backup goaltender since the days of the Pekka Rinne and Saros tandem.

Lankinen has played well this season as well, posting a .920 save percentage and 2.68 GAA. His 4-2 loss against the Arizona Coyotes was not vindictive of his level of play overall.

No matter which netminder the Predators go with in a game it can be assured that they are going to keep them in contention for a win. This is going to be pivotal down the stretch as the Predators have a run of 30 games in 56 days to close out the season.

Home/Editorials