The Nashville Predators Success All Hinges on the Play of Pekka Rinne
The Pekka Rinne we all watched stop 38 of 41 shots against the Anaheim Ducks in the series clinching win in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final hasn't been seen in over a week in a half.
Through two games in the Stanley Cup Final, Rinne and the Nashville Predators' first trip to the Final, Pekka has been the reason the Predators have lost two straight for the first time in this 2017 postseason.
In order to win four series and hoist the illustrious Stanley Cup trophy, it's no mystery that a team success begins and ends with the play of the man between the goal posts.
Again, it's no mystery, that Pekka Rinne has been nowhere near where he needs to be in order for the Preds to overcome a 2-0 deficit to beat the defending Cup champion, Pittsburg Penguins.
In Game 1 in Pittsburg, Rinne faced just 11 shots, not seeing a single shot on goal for 37 minutes. He allowed four goals, and a goal on the first shot on goal in 37 minutes, which ultimately proved to be the game winner for the Pens en route to a 5-3 victory.
In Game 2, Rinne played two solid periods, allowing one fluke goal in the first period, but stopped 18 of 19 shots faced through 2 periods. In the third, the wheels fell off, as Rinne gave up a goal just 10 seconds into the period. Three minutes later, Scott Wilson made it 3-1 Penguins, and 15 seconds later, Evgeni Malkin made it 4.
Just like that, for the first time in the playoffs, Rinne was pulled by Preds head coach Peter Laviolette, putting in youngster Juuse Saros for the remaining 16 minutes, 32 seconds. It was Saros' first appearance ever in an NHL postseason, and just his 22nd career appearance.
Will Rinne start Game 3? I think so, due to the lack of experience Saros has, and the undying trust the team and fans have in Rinne. After all, the guy has been the net-minder for Nashville for 11 years now. Plus, he's played great through 16 games in the Western conference, leading the Preds to their first ever Final appearance.
It doesn't matter how well the offense plays, how many shots they put on the Penguins' goal, or how the six defenders play; the success of this team hinges solely on the play of the goalie. If Rinne has another performance like he had Monday and Wednesday nights in Pittsburg, you might as well give the Cup to the Penguins. Again.
