After a brutal 7-0 loss to the New York Rangers, which Nashville Predators goaltender should get the nod in net tonight?
There may be a question tonight when it comes to goaltending for the Nashville Predators. One thing that there is no question about - Sunday night's loss to the New York Rangers was a particularly difficult game. The Rangers score four goals on their first five shots, and starter Kevin Lankinen was benched less than ten minutes into the first period. Juuse Saros came in and allowed two more goals in the opening period before saving 22 of 23 shots in the remaining forty minutes.
It was not a good night for the Predators or their two usually solid goaltenders. Juuse Saros has been a top ten goaltender this season ranking top three in goals saved above average and wins above replacement while being first in highest expected goals against. In a trying season, Saros has again won games for this Predators team.
Kevin Lankinen has been one of the best offseason moves by General Manager David Poile and was just re-signed to a one year, $2 million dollar contract for the 2023-2024 season. Initially, Predators fans weren't thrilled with the original move to bring in Kevin Lankinen, not just because of his less than impressive statistics during his time with Chicago, but also because Nashville had Connor Ingram waiting in the wings. Ingram was placed on waivers and found a home in Arizona, and Lankinen has been an exceptional add to the Predators roster.
Despite having top tier talent, Sunday night's game was a brutal evening for both Lankinen and Saros. As Nashville takes on the Buffalo Sabres tonight, Locked On Predators debates which goaltender should get the start in net and why.
Regardless of who gets the nod in net tonight, the entire Predators roster will need to bring a better collective performance against the Buffalo Sabres if they hope to keep any playoff chances alive.