In 2020, Saros set a new career-high in starts (34) but a career-worst in GAA (2.70) and SV% (.914). After posting a .924 SV% in the first two years of his career, Saros is t-14th in SV% (.915) over the last two years. Tonight will be the first time that someone other than Pekka Rinne starts a Predators' season opener since 2009.
In 2020, Saros set a new career-high in starts (34) but a career-worst in GAA (2.70) and SV% (.914). After posting a .924 SV% in the first two years of his career, Saros is t-14th in SV% (.915) over the last two years. Tonight will be the first time that someone other than Pekka Rinne starts a Predators' season opener since 2009.
After spending nine seasons with the Senators, Borowiecki sings with the Predators where he'll serve as a third-pairing defenseman. Borowiecki obviously doesn't provide anything offensively but is a big, physical force, who ranked 11th in the NHL in hits (199) last season.
Lucchini was an undrafted free agent out of Michigan Tech. He was originally signed by the Penguins but was part of a minor league trade to the Canadiens in February. The 25-year-old finished 2020 with 11 goals and nine assists (20 points) in 61 games between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Laval (AHL).
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said that he doesn’t think Stamkos will play in Game 2 but didn’t rule it out either. That makes Stamkos a game-time decision but more doubtful than probable. The Lightning have scored just four goals in their last three games (1.33 GF/gm) so they could use a 400-goal scorer.
When head coach Jon Cooper met with the media on Monday he said that everything is "status quo" which suggests that Stamkos is still "out indefinitely." Unless he's keeping things close to the vest ahead of Game 1, don't expect Stamkos to be out there on Tuesday afternoon.
Stamkos will miss his third straight round-robin game on Saturday and Jon Cooper's update on his status was not very positive. He noted that Stamkos is "working his tail off" to get back but added that for now "Stamkos is out indefinitely." The Lighting did not need him during the round-robin but that could change come Round 1.
Saros had an ugly start to the 2020 playoffs, giving up three goals in the first 16 minutes of Game 1. However, like he rest of his team, he settled in and Nashville nearly came back from 3-0 down. He finished the game with 33 saves on 37 shots (.892 SV%) and that was enough for the Predators to go back to him in a super important Game 2.
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper expects Stamkos to skate on Tuesday but will not play tomorrow vs. the Bruins. Tampa Bay won their first round-robin game vs. the Capitals without Stamkos and it's evident they won't rush him back for these pre-playoff games.
Stamkos didn't practice Saturday after training in three-straight sessions with his teammates in Toronto on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. Head coach Jon Cooper said they never really had plans for Stamkos to play in Game 1 of the round-robin. With Stamkos likely out, Ondrej Palat will move to the top line with Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov.
