Rinne will miss 3-5 weeks with sprained knee

The Nashville Predators announced on Thursday that All Star goaltender Pekka Rinne will miss three-to-five weeks with a sprained knee.

Rinne was injured in a third period collision with Vancouver Canucks forward Chris Higgins in the Predators 5-1 win at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday.

With Rinne sidelined, the Predators recalled Marek Mazanec from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Milwaukee to join Carter Hutton as their goaltending tandem for the time being.

In limited time this season, Hutton has gone 0-3-2 with a 2.60 goals against average (GAA) and .905 save percentage (SV%). In 23 AHL games, Mazanec has a 11-8-3 record, 2.49 GAA and .907 SV%. Rinne missed an extended period of time with a infection in his hip last season and these two goalies combined for an 28–21-8 record.

This is a massive loss for Nashville. Rinne leads the NHL in Wins (29), is second in GAA (1.96), tied for second in SV% (.931) and games started (37) and fifth in shutouts (3). At the time of his injury, he was in the conversation as the midway Vezina Trophy favourite as well as in contention for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

Rinne’s three-to-five week timetable will see him miss anywhere between eight and 16 games, which leaves Hutton and Mazanec with huge shoes to fill. The positive news for the Preds, is he will miss a few less games due to the All Star break, which he will be replaced in by Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

With Rinne out, fantasy owners are left with a huge hole in their lineup. Goalies to take a look at that could be available on the waiver wire are: Craig Anderson (69% owned), Michael Hutchinson (58% owned), Cam Ward (43% owned) Petr Mrazek (40% owned) and Hutton (13% owned).