The Predators have five days off between games so Saros went to Milwaukee to get some playing time over the weekend. Saros started two games, going 1-1-0 while allowing nine goals on 69 shots (.870 SV%) and comes back to the Predators where he will likely start one of their back-to-back games on Wednesday/Thursday.
After tonight’s game, the Predators are off until Wednesday so they are sending Saros to Milwaukee to get him a few starts. The 22-year-old has gone 0-3-0 with a 3.53 GAA and .874 SV% in four games with Milwaukee this season.
The Predators continue to try and get Saros some playing time in the AHL when they know Pekka Rinne will start a stretch of games. With Nashville having a back-to-back on Monday/Tuesday, Saros has been recalled and will likely start one of those games. Saros has struggled this season, going 0-3-0 with a 3.53 GAA and .874 SV% in three AHL games and a 1-3-1 with a 3.71 GAA and .870 SV% with Nashville.
The Predators sent Saros down over the weekend to get him a few starts because he has sat as Pekka Rinne’s backup for the majority of the season so far. The 22-year-old, who has struggled his four NHL appearance so far, didn’t fare much better in the AHL, giving up seven goals on 52 shots (.912 SV%). Saros is still a developing, young goalie with a bright future ahead of him, but until he turns it around this season he is better left on the waiver wire.
It looked like Saros would have a chance to carve out a nice role this season after going 10-8-3 with a 2.35 GAA and .923 SV% last year. This year did not start well, with the 22-year-old going 1-3-0 with a 3.94 GAA and .855 SV% in his first four starts. Anders Lindback has been recalled to serve as the Predators No.2 netminder.
Saros will start in Pittsburgh because Pekka Rinne has never won a game (regular season or playoffs) in Pittsburgh, so they will roll the dice with the 22-year-old. Saros had a really good season as Rinne’s backup last year, going 10-8-3 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV% and one shutout. The Penguins haven’t had a good start to the season, but that might be a reason to stay away from Saros—they will be a motivated team after getting embarrassed on Thursday.
Saros allowed four goals on 32 shots in the Predators’ loss to the Blackhawks last Saturday. Pekka Rinne starts the last two games, but Saros will start this afternoon in San Jose—he is 4-3-0 with a 2.03 GAA and .934 SV% on the road.