On the Forecheck
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Rinne reigns
by Forechecker on 01/28/09 at 05:12 PM ET
Comments (2)
Barry Trotz refuses to say as much, but his actions appear to indicate that Pekka Rinne has assumed the starter’s role in the Nashville net these days, as he’s been tabbed to start tonight’s game in Vancouver. The worries of some of the Preds’ fans seem to be coming true in terms of how Dan Ellis is getting handled, but some of his poor starts lately may have put the team’s season on the brink of ruin.
So, for your Predators Question of the Week, I ask you: Who should be Nashville’s #1 Goaltender?
It’s pretty clear what the coach thinks, if you take a look at recent work trends…
| Date | Opp. | Starter | GA | Saves | Sv Pct. | Reliever | Goals | Saves | Sv Pct. |
| 12/26/2008 | Detroit | Ellis | 2 | 38 | .950 | ||||
| 12/28/2008 | Edmonton | Ellis | 4 | 13 | .765 | Rinne | 1 | 15 | .938 |
| 12/29/2008 | Colorado | Rinne | 5 | 16 | .762 | ||||
| 01/01/2009 | Vancouver | Rinne | 2 | 30 | .938 | ||||
| 01/03/2009 | Calgary | Ellis | 3 | 23 | .885 | ||||
| 01/06/2009 | Colorado | Rinne | 2 | 19 | .905 | ||||
| 01/08/2009 | Pittsburgh | Ellis | 2 | 5 | .714 | Rinne | 1 | 17 | .944 |
| 01/10/2009 | Chicago | Rinne | 1 | 34 | .971 | ||||
| 01/11/2009 | Chicago | Ellis | 2 | 30 | .938 | ||||
| 01/13/2009 | Toronto | Rinne | 0 | 17 | 1.000 | ||||
| 01/15/2009 | Montreal | Rinne | 3 | 17 | .850 | ||||
| 01/17/2009 | Atlanta | Ellis | 3 | 1 | .250 | Rinne | 4 | 24 | .857 |
| 01/19/2009 | New Jersey | Rinne | 2 | 32 | .941 |
That’s 13 games, with 7 starts and a total Save Percentage of .913 for Rinne, and 6 starts/.873 for Ellis. Coming out of the All-Star break with all the rest one could ask for, Trotz has tabbed Rinne for tonight’s game. At this point, Dan’s not getting back in there unless Pekka stumbles, and that, to me, says that Trotz has made his choice. Now granted, it may not be a very firm choice, and the old saw definitely applies here: “If you have two #1 goalies, you really don’t have any.”
As the big young Finn takes his spot in the crease, my fantasy hockey team is set to take a beating, but the Predators are hoping for some stability in goal, and that, based on the last few weeks, is what Rinne has been providing.
Filed in: Nashville Predators | On the Forecheck | Permalink
Tags: dan+ellis, pekka+rinne,
Comments
The upside here is that you don’t exactly have to sweat things out. If Rinne is the man to start, let him start. He was extended into next season and Ellis has just $2 million committed to him for next year as well. Sure $2 million is a bit of a bite, but the Preds aren’t in a bad place payroll wise.
Sure, Ellis was retained to be the starter, but either he’s regressed or Rinne has risen to his talent level and seized the job. Stay with what works and if Ellis has a problem with that… I’m sure the Preds could accommodate him in a way he may not like very well. Dekanich and McIntyre are doing well in Milwaukee so its not as if the Preds can’t fall back on the AHL to back things up.
It’s a good place for the Preds to be in now - stick with Rinne, he’s got the staying power.
Posted by HockeyJoe from Upstate New York on 01/28/09 at 05:36 PM ET
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No matter who #1 is, I think Dan Ellis needs more time on the ice.
Granted, Pekka’s making great strides in learning the NHL.. I think Dan needs to prove to himself he’s still a solid goalie.
He still needs to get the Atlanta game out of him with a solid showing.
Posted by Codey H. from Nashville, TN on 01/28/09 at 05:19 PM ET