Three Keys to Nashville Predators Encouraging 2-0-1 Start

3. Juuse Saros is the most obvious and clear choice to why the Nashville Predators are 2-0-1

Juuse Saros has avoided the dreaded slow start to the season, and they really needed their franchise goalie to step up while the offensive kinks are still getting worked out.

Saros is near the top of MoneyPuck's goalie leaderboard through three starts to the young season. He has posted a 4.4 Goals Saved Above Expected, which really paints a clear picture as to why the Predators have five out of a possible six points in the standings.

If Saros is even playing just ordinary and performing right at an even pace, then that's three or four extra goals the Predators would have surrendered. Considering the Predators have scored exactly two goals per game, not counting the two empty net goals against Ottawa, and you can see where I'm going with this. An 0-3-0 start is what we might be sitting with and singing a much different, and much more sinister tune.

Saros has made 89 saves on 94 shots for a .947 save percentage. He has looked completely locked in and tracking the puck really well. This is a huge confidence boost to avoid starting off poorly after having his worst season in the NHL last season.

The goal scoring still has to come around because obvoiusly two goals per game is going to catch up to you, and the Predators are going to eventually get exposed to the more elite offensive teams. They can't expect Saros to maintain this pace every single game, but he has at least bought them some time early in the season to get things ironed out offensively.