Juuse Saros Makes Clutch Saves When Needed
Preds vs. Blackhawks Difference Makers
- Juuse Saros Makes Clutch Saves When Needed
- Next Man Up, Mark Jankowski Delivering for Preds
- Ryan O'Reilly Continues to be the Leader on the Ice for Preds
It's not a secret that Juuse Saros has looked shaky for the most part in 2023-24. Coming into this matchup against the Blackhawks, Saros was looking to carry over arguably his best start of the season in a 34-save win over the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday.
This isn't what I would call a strong defensive performance from the Predators. They let the Blackhawks get loose on way too many odd man rushes and in the slot. Although Saros did get beat on some tricky pucks to deal with, he also made some very difficult saves in critical moments.
Perhaps no moment was more critical then in overtime when Connor Bedard got loose and it was just Saros that was in the rookie phenom's way of making all of the highlight reels.
The Blackhawks finish with 14 high danger chances against Saros, while the Predators managed only 10. Towards the end of regulation and overtime, Saros had to be at his best.
This would have been a crushing loss to a last place team if Saros lets one by and the Predators leave with no points in the standings.
Saros has now won six of his last seven starts and is beginning to gradually get back into the form that we've come to expect from him since he took over for Pekka Rinne in 2021.