Struggling Predators need better results from Rinne

As your goaltending goes, so goes your team. That's the truth for every team in the NHL, or really at any level of hockey. Get good goaltending, have a chance to win. Get average goaltending, and it will be a struggle.

The Nashville Predators have gotten average goaltending from all-star goalie Pekka Rinne since Oct. 31. As a result, they've tumbled down the standings after a 7-1-1 start and now find themselves one point out of the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference heading into their game Tuesday against the Chicago Blackhawks, who have won 11 in a row.

"I think Pekka is probably representative of our team," Nashville general manager David Poile said. "He could be a little bit more consistent."

Rinne was 6-1-1 with a 1.74 goals-against average and .934 save percentage through his first eight starts. He allowed 14 goals on 211 shots. He was excellent and so were the Predators.

In the time since, Rinne has gone 8-7-6 with a 2.80 GAA and .893 save percentage. He has allowed 81 goals on 759 shots in 29 games. He has allowed four or more goals in eight of those goals. He has been average and so have the Predators.

Rinne's 2.57 GAA is 25th this season among goalies with 20 or more appearances this season and his .902 save percentage is 32nd.

"It's been frustrating. I can't lie," Rinne told The Tennessean. "But I obviously expect a lot from myself and it is tough when you feel like there's room for you to improve and play better and help your team. It's been at times pretty frustrating, but the best part is that there's plenty of games ahead of us. Physically, I feel really good, I feel healthy and 100 percent. I'm just really happy that we're still in this position and there's a lot of room to improve."

Poile is optimistic that Rinne will find consistency in his game soon so the Predators can find consistency in their overall game.

"He has certainly been one of the best goaltenders in the last half a dozen years or more," Poile said. "He was second in the Vezina Trophy voting last year. He was a big reason why we got off to a good start this year, 7-1-1 and he probably stole three games by himself. I think everybody, including Pekka, would like to contribute a little bit better right now."

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