The Nashville Predators finally have the look of a formidable foe in the Western Conference landscape.
But their season wasn't always tracking down that path.
The Predators, who have never been known as an offensive powerhouse, pulled off an early January trade that brought bona fide No. 1 center Ryan Johansen to the Music City, at the cost of blue-chip defenseman Seth Jones. But even as Johansen began to put up points in his new threads, it was the goaltending - or rather, a lack thereof - that remained Nashville's biggest cause for concern this season, and the primary reason behind their dropping from a potential Stanley Cup contender to a playoff bubble team.
Pekka Rinne, a three-time Vezina Trophy finalist, began this season sharp enough, posting a record of 6-1-2 with a .925 save percentage in October. Over the next three-and-a-half months, however, his performance fell off substantially. Even Rinne himself couldn't pinpoint what was going wrong.
If the past five games are any indication, however, the Rinne of old is back - and just in time, too.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Shots Against | Saves | Sv% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 18 | Boston | W 2-0 | 29 | 29 | 1.000 |
| Feb. 20 | Los Angeles | L 2-1 (OT) | 30 | 28 | .933 |
| Feb. 22 | Montreal | W 2-1 (SO) | 29 | 28 | .966 |
| Feb. 25 | Chicago | W 3-1 | 39 | 38 | .974 |
| Feb. 27 | St. Louis | W 5-0 | 28 | 28 | 1.000 |
Saturday's 5-0 shutout win over St. Louis gave the Predators a secure hold on the first wild-card spot in the West; they're now five points ahead of Colorado, and nine clear of Minnesota. Nashville has gone 6-1-3 over its past 10 games, and Rinne - who's been leading the way with strong play between the pipes - has credited two seemingly opposite feelings for the team's strong run of late.
Why are the Predators playing their best right now? "I think it's just desperation and confidence," Pekka Rinne said.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) February 27, 2016
With Johansen solidifying the center spot, a solid defense corps still intact despite the subtraction of Jones, and the emergence of Filip Forsberg as a potentially elite goal-scorer who's been virtually unstoppable of late, Rinne's resurgence should be what ultimately gives the once-desperate Predators a healthy measure of confidence as the postseason approaches.
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Here's one you see ... never.
A puck was somehow fired from close range right into the face of New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi on Saturday, becoming lodged - again, somehow - behind his visor.
Girardi was fine, thankfully, and, let's be honest, the eye-patch look suits him.
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Despite a flurry of trades throughout the NHL, the Ottawa Senators are busy taking care of their own.
Resident tough guy Chris Neil is expected to sign a one-year, $1.5-million extension to remain with the Senators next season, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports.
Senators general manager Bryan Murray told reporters this week the goal is to have Neil, who's been with the organization since being drafted 161st overall in 1998, finish his career in Ottawa.
The reported deal, barring an injury, will ensure Neil plays his 1,000th game with Ottawa some time next season.
Neil ranks third in team history in games played, and his 2,416 career penalty minutes is three times more Chris Phillips, who ranks second in club history.
He has three goals, 10 points, and 122 penalty minutes in 62 games this year.
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TORONTO - The Maple Leafs thought they had it figured out.
During the lockout-shortened 2013 season, James Reimer performed well as the team's undisputed starting goalie. A 2.46 goals-against average and .924 save percentage were career bests for the Manitoba native. He also helped Toronto grab its only playoff berth since 2004.
Despite his exploits, the Leafs added "depth" in the crease by acquiring Jonathan Bernier from the Los Angeles Kings that June. It was a trade that didn’t necessarily sit well with Reimer, but given his character and professionalism, he took it in stride. After one season behind Bernier, Reimer and the Maple Leafs agreed to a two-year, $4.6-million contract.
Along the way, though, Toronto's goaltending plan fell apart.
After a strong first season, and a so-so second season, Bernier struggled to begin 2015-16. Freshly signed to a two-year, $8.3-million extension, he gave up questionable goals early in games, and went winless in his first 11 starts. It was a nightmare first impression to deliver to new head coach Mike Babcock.
When Reimer was thrust into duty, he took advantage, posting career-high numbers. His play cast further doubt on the future in Toronto's crease.
Given the Maple Leafs' return for trading Reimer to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday - at best a third-round draft pick - the team's future, and vision, in goal is hazier than ever.
"We needed to take a look at our minor-league goalies who are playing extremely well,” Maple Leafs general manager Lou Lamoriello said on a conference call. "We have to look at Garret Sparks right now and see (if) how he performed earlier is something that is the real thing."
Sparks was summoned to back up Bernier for Toronto's game in Montreal on Saturday night. He is 3-1 with a .915 save percentage in his rookie season.
What Toronto received for Reimer pales in comparison to the two second-round draft picks it acquired from San Jose earlier in the week in a trade for Roman Polak and Nick Spaling. But with so many moves being made and so few suitors looking for a goaltender, the Maple Leafs felt it necessary to get a return on their best goaltender right now.
Reimer is an unrestricted free agent this summer. Although the door is potentially open for him to come back, the salary cap trumps all.
"It's certainly behind your mind and I think that's the best I can answer that," Lamoriello said regarding Reimer’s possible return. "I think in this world ... where the cap is ... whatever transpires with the salaries is going to be more prevalent than it has been in the past."
Translation: Reimer is only coming back at the right price and term. Given that both sides were far apart on that front, moving Reimer was Toronto's way of delaying the decision.
Related: Reimer 'definitely' open to possible Toronto return
Reimer joins San Jose with a shot at returning to the playoffs. Although it appears he'll back up Martin Jones to begin his Sharks career, Reimer's .918 save percentage in front of an awful Toronto team is better than Jones' .916 in front of a team in playoff position.
"Obviously I had a lot of good years (in Toronto). It's definitely a weird feeling to be going somewhere else," Reimer said, also thanking the media and fans for how he was treated. "You guys are great. Thank you for all you guys did."
Toronto’s biggest unknown: Who will start the 2016-17 season as the team’s staring goalie? With Reimer out of the picture in the short term, the possibilities seem endless, but the ideal solution far away.
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