Predators mailbag: Should Pekka Rinne receive Hart Trophy consideration as NHL MVP?

Throughout the NHL season, I will take your Predators questions. To have yours answered, send them via Twitter to @AdamVingan or email avingan@tennessean.com.

If Pekka Rinne doesn't lose another start, will people still overlook his dominance in Hart (Trophy) discussions for guys on lesser teams? — Jared Stillman (@JaredStillman)

My local colleague brings up a topic that's worth discussing.

Rinne, first and foremost, should be the runaway favorite to win the Vezina Trophy.

In the 2018 portion of the Predators' schedule, Rinne is 20-2-1 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .936 save percentage. His primary competitor for the award, Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, is 15-9-2/3.17/.908 since Jan. 1. That should help to settle it.

But is Rinne's season MVP worthy? Goaltenders traditionally don't win the Hart Trophy, though Rinne has finished in the top 10 of voting three times.

More: Playoff-bound Predators keep winning, but still searching for ways to improve

Rinne's point share, an estimate of the number of points contributed by his play in goal, is 12.1 this season, tied for third-most in the NHL according to Hockey Reference.

If Rinne were playing at league-average levels and the Predators didn't have those 12 extra points, they'd still be among the top teams in the league. That may work against him on Hart Trophy ballots.

In the interest of transparency, I'm currently considering New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall and Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon for my first-place vote. There is a way, however, that Rinne could enter the conversation.

Rinne has won 10 consecutive starts, one short of his career high. The NHL record for longest winning streak by a goaltender is 17, a mark set in 1975-76 by Boston's Gilles Gilbert that Rinne probably would surpass if he were to win his projected remaining starts.

If Rinne can do that and maintain his high level of play, then he definitely should be considered as a candidate.

Worst first-round matchup — Avalanche, Stars, Kings, Ducks or Wild? — Steve Bata (@steve_bat)

I agree with Tennessean columnist Joe Rexrode, who wrote March 9 that the Anaheim Ducks are the first-round opponent that the Predators most want to avoid.

Another Predators-Ducks series would be as physical and downright nasty as the previous ones, if not more so with the long-simmering history between them. The Predators would be better off without that punishment.

More: Who would Predators play if NHL Stanley Cup playoffs started today?

The other teams mentioned each pose their own challenges. The most preferable may be the Dallas Stars, who have been sputtering down the stretch. They've improved defensively this season and still boast a dangerous offense, but the Predators are more well-rounded.

With Calle Jarnkrok out and (Eeli) Tolvanen likely on the way in, what would your ideal line combinations be? — Ryan Wilson (@RyanWilson092)

Tolvanen's KHL team trails its second-round playoff series 2-0. His season could end Tuesday if Jokerit is swept, freeing him to sign with the Predators as expected.

The Predators project Tolvanen, 18, as a top-six forward, but it might not be the right decision to immediately place him on one of those lines if he migrates to Nashville this season.

Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson don't produce at the same high rate when apart from one another. The Predators also shouldn't separate Kevin Fiala, Kyle Turris and Craig Smith, who have outscored opponents 26-11 at even strength when together.

At least to start, here's how I would configure Nashville's lines with Jarnkrok out for at least the remainder of the regular season with an upper-body injury:

Filip Forsberg — Ryan Johansen — Viktor Arvidsson

Kevin Fiala — Kyle Turris — Craig Smith

Ryan Hartman — Nick Bonino — Eeli Tolvanen

Colton Sissons — Mike Fisher — Austin Watson

Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.

NEXT GAME

PREDATORS at SABRES

When: 6 p.m. Monday

TV/radio: Fox TN/102.5-FM