Predators Place Rinne on Injured Reserve
The Nashville Predators placed goaltender Pekka Rinne on injured reserve Saturday with an undisclosed injury. Rinne left during the third period of the Predators’ game against the Flames on Friday. Predators’ forward Kevin Fiala collided with Rinne after failing to breakup an odd-man rush for the Flames.
Rinne had gotten off to a hot start this season, building off his Vezina Trophy campaign from a year ago. The 35-year-old Fin has a .929 SV%, a 2.10 GAA, and a 3-1-0 record in five appearances this season. He is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of three games.
Luckily for Nashville, they have one of the most capable backups in the league to take over in the interim. Juuse Saros stopped all nine shots he faced on Friday as he picked up the win in a relief appearance. The 23-year-old is considered one of the best young netminders in the league, boasting a.923 SV% in 51 career appearances. He’s appeared in five games for the Predators this season, posting a 2.23 GAA and a perfect 3-0-0 record. He will start for Nashville on Saturday night against the Oilers.
The Predators also announced they recalled goaltender Miroslav Svoboda from the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL). The 23-year-old Czech native was a 7th-round pick of the Oilers in 2015 and spent the last two seasons in the Czech Extraliga. He posted a 33-14 record and a .925 SV% last season. He’s played just two games for Atlanta so far this season, registering a 2-0-0 record while allowing just three goals on 56 shots (.946 SV%). He will backup Saros on Saturday.