Nashville Predators: The 5 Biggest Surprises from the 2022-23 Season
By Kyle Fleming
#3 Goalie Tandem
As always, it seems, the Nashville Predators relied heavily on their goaltending to keep them in contention night after night.
With key pieces from the defensive core being out and the trading of Mattias Ekholm at the trade deadline, Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen had their work cut out for them down the stretch.
Saros has played in 63 games with two games remaining on the schedule. Through those 63 games, Saros has a 2.69 GAA and .919 save percentage.
One thing that really sticks out about his performance throughout the season is his goals saved above expected. Saros is number one in the league in this category with 46.7 goals saved above expected, leading Linus Ullmark in second with 42.4.
Then there is Lankinen. Coming off a 2021-22 season where the Predators relied on the likes of David Rittich and Connor Ingram backing up Saros, Lankinen was a huge addition during the offseason.
Lankinen has not disappointed either. With a 2.67 goals against and .918 save percentage, Lankinen has been good when called upon. His play in the crease earned him a one-year contract to remain with the Predators through the 2023-24 season.