Since Pekka Rinne has taken over the starting goaltending job in Nashville, he has really taken off. Saturday night’s 8-0 thumping of Detroit marked Pekka’s sixth shutout of the season, tying a franchise-record previously set by Dan Ellis last year. Rinne is now tied for second in the NHL in shuouts, only trailing Steve Mason, another Calder Trophy candidate who has 8 shutouts. Entering tonight’s action, Rinne is currently among the top 3 in SV% (.926), GAA (2.15) and shutouts, quite an accomplishment for the 26 year-old, who entering this season, had only appeared in 3 NHL games. The Predators are one point behind the 8th place Anaheim Ducks, but have one game in hand.
March 1, 2009
Pekka Rinne ties shutout mark
By John Glennon
THE TENNESSEAN
The Predators’ offensive outburst in Saturday’s 8-0 win over Detroit was so shocking that it overshadowed another stellar effort by goalie Pekka Rinne.
Rinne stopped 30 shots for his sixth shutout of the season, tying the franchise mark set by Dan Ellis last season.
Rinne’s best save came just over two minutes into the second period, when — while seated in the crease — he robbed Tomas Kopecky, extending his arm almost over the goal line to glove Kopecky’s quick wrist shot.
“That, to me, was a signature save,” Predators Coach Barry Trotz said. “Guys realized, ‘Let’s get it back on track here and not let them get any momentum.”’