Carolina Hurricanes: Round 1 Series Preview vs. Predators

Goaltenders

For a long time, the blue paint has been the home to the Carolina Hurricanes’ biggest weakness. Quite frankly, I’m not sure it’s changed, but it’s significantly less of an issue than it was in previous eras. When Petr Mrazek started off the season hot and broke his thumb, I think everyone was excited to see Alex Nedeljkovic back up James Reimer and maybe get a chance to prove himself as an NHL player.

Ned has not disappointed. 1.90 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage for the Parma, Ohio native sees him sit top of the stats for all goaltenders having played a minimum of 15 games. He’s been nothing short of outstanding and the hot rookie goaltender has stepped up in a big way to help stabilize the ship. His 15-5-3 record has been vital for Carolina’s success this season.

His first three career NHL shutouts have come this year, and if this had been over a larger sample size, he very well could have been in the conversation for the Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goaltender. I’m not saying he deserves it this year, but his numbers have been nothing but incredible. This one highlight-reel save kind of sums up his season.

While Nedeljkovic has been a shining star, Carolina has a few other warriors who can take the pipe if the kid falters. Mrazek was special himself to start the season, having 3 shutouts in his first 4 games. He has missed a lot of time after breaking his thumb in his 5th game against Dallas, but his 2.06 goals-against average and his .923 save percentage aren’t anything to turn your nose up at.

Mrazek’s 6-2-3 record is not special, but James Reimer’s 15-5-2 record wasn’t bad at all, either. While Reimer doesn’t have the same statistical shine as the other two goalies, his stats are still average to slightly above league-average. 2.66 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage are not great, but they aren’t bad. All three are fantastic options for Rod and his team to call upon if times get tough.

As for Nashville, Juuse Saros is the only way the Predators have a shot in this series. Capable of turning into the great wall of Helsinki, the Finnish goaltender is going to be the biggest threat for taking this series away from the Carolina Hurricanes. His .927 save percentage and 2.28 goals-against average are the main reason the Nashville Predators are competing for the Cup in the first place.

Should Saros falter, Nashville has another goaltender who is “just too good right now”. Evergreen Pekka Rinne is still ol’ reliable when the Preds need to rest their young netminder. While Rinne is at the concluding part of his NHL career, he’s still capable of turning back the clock to shut a team down. Nashville’s crease is well taken care of by these two Finns.

So, who does the goaltending favor? I would say Nedeljkovic had a better regular season than Saros, but that means nothing in the playoffs. Hockey is a game of weird bounces and luck, but goaltenders are a special kind of voodoo. We will not know who’s better until we get into the series tonight.