To be a top goaltender in the National Hockey Leauge means more than just a breakout season. Goaltenders are expected to provide consistency season-by-season; a job pointed to very few.
Over the past five games, Saros's consistency has found its way back to the form expected of the goaltender, when he inked his seven-year contract extension in July.
He's (2-2-1, .934 SV%, 2.00 GAA) in his last five outings:
"I think the energy, the urgency was there (through the night.)" Saros said following his 26-save shutout to Utah on Saturday night.
Head Coach Andrew Brunette hasn't used Saros lightly, playing the goaltender in all but three outings to start the regular season (13 GP). Due to just how fast the NHL has gotten, teams have mostly evolved from a starter and backup role with goaltenders into a tandem position split between the two.
Yet Saros is on pace to potentially cap his season record of games played (67 GP), set through the 2021-2022 season. The team knows how important consistent goaltending is in the modern era, where especially over the past handful of seasons, it can be hard to come by.
Praise was shown for the goaltender following his 26-save shutout, blanking Utah in the inaugural game between the teams. It also became Saro's second shutout of the season:
"If he doesn't (make that) big save early on in the game, the direction could go the opposite. He was big tonight." Brunette said.
Likewise, Forsberg had high praise for Saros:
"I thought Juuse made some great saves when we needed him." Forsberg praised following the shutout.
Saros took over the starting job from Nashville icon Pekka Rinne, through the first five seasons with the Predators, before fitting into the much-needed starting job for the team, during the 2021-2022 season.
It's hard to imagine the goaltender who's allowed just ten goals in his last five games, struggled to begin the season battling a preseason injury, which flowed into a battle with himself, to excell his game to the level he knows he's expected to play at.
The $7.74 Million level.
Struggling is part of the life as a goaltender. Especially one who's watched closley by over 20,000 fans on a nightly basis.
Hence, the stability of a starting goaltender pushes the confidence of the lineup, leading to teams becoming more aggressive offensively, taking more chances, and knowing their goaltender will make the "key save" when called upon.
Saros did just what elite goaltenders do, most notably in the third period at Colorado on Monday. He stopped 15 of 15, leading the Predators into overtime, earning a point in a game they could've left empty-handed.
Juuse Saros, take a bow
— Smashville's Finest (@501Broadway) November 12, 2024
The game, along with his week's performance, earned him the third spot on the "NHL's Top Goalies of the Week." (1.69GAA).
It's an off day on Tuesday, followed by a practice on Wednesday, then back to game action for the goaltender Thursday night in Edmonton; Facing what's known to be the top offensive lineup in the leauge.
It will be the third time he's seen the iconic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draistl, in less than a month.