Scapegoat to Savior: How Pekka Rinne Righted the Ship

Questions about Rinne’s consistency arose after falling behind 0–2. Now the Preds are back on track thanks to their goalie.

Pekka Rinne turned things around for Nashville at home. (Image via Twitter)

“Pekka has been excellent for us all year long, like I said. There’s things that we could have done. All three goals in the third period were odd-man rushes.”

While this quote from Peter Laviolette’s press conference after Game Two wasn’t exactly an indictment of Pekka Rinne’s play in Pittsburgh, it came in response to the question of whether or not Rinne would start Game Three in Nashville. Combined with the fact that Rinne had been pulled from Game Two, it was enough to cast some doubt on whether or not Nashville still had confidence in their netminder heading back home.

Rinne’s start to the playoffs was phenomenal, to say the least. Through the first three rounds, he was a dominant 12–4 with a 1.70 GAA and a .941 SV% and was the biggest reason, many believed, why the Predators are still alive. Since being drafted in 2004, Rinne has played every one of his 508 NHL regular-season games in Nashville and has become one of the most valued parts of the young franchise. Faced with some inconsistencies over his career, Rinne has shown the ability to be among the NHL’s elite in goaltending, and has been nominated for the Vezina Trophy three times in his career. At other times, it seems as though Nashville has found success in spite of their goaltender. Whatever the history has been, Rinne was on fire through three rounds in this year’s playoffs, and had everyone believing in Nashville.

Then the Stanley Cup finals began. In Game One, Rinne faced 11 shots, allowing 4 goals. In Game Two, he allowed 4 goals on 25 shots and was pulled halfway through the third period. His career record against Pittsburgh has been atrocious, and wasn’t getting any better at a time when his team needed him the most. It had some suggesting that Rinne may not start Game Three back home, and others (including myself) wondering if the Predators had reached the end of their magical run. Those articles and suggestions did not age well, and that’s just fine. What we got instead was a thrilling series that heads back to Pittsburgh all tied up.

While it’s true that the Predators have played well regardless of the wins and losses, the only true change in their play and approach has been the execution of Rinne. Their defense remains as dominant as ever, holding both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin without a single shot between them in Game Three. Adding to that, the Predators are the third team in NHL history with four defensemen with double-digit point totals. They have relied heavily on their defense throughout the postseason, and they continue to deliver. They did plenty of heavy lifting in the first two games, holding Pittsburgh to just 39 total shots and 1/10 on the Power Play. Their vicious physical play and continued success on special teams carried on once they got to Nashville. The offense has continued to look strong as well, having out-shot the Penguins by wide margins in games one and two and finally breaking through Matt Murray to score 9 goals combined during their home stand. The only thing that has been different (if inconsistent) is the play of Pekka Rinne.

Maybe it was the outstanding home crowd in Nashville. Maybe it was the moment and the opportunity to play the hero. Maybe it was just desperation. Whatever the reason, Pekka Rinne figured it out and stole the show — and perhaps the series — for the Predators. The Preds came home with plenty of questions about whether they’d be able to perform or if Rinne would hold up under the pressure. They head back to Pittsburgh all tied up. Why is that? In large part, it is because of the very same Pekka Rinne that left the Steel City shrouded by doubt. Rinne made some spectacular saves (see video above) and stopped 50 of the 52 shots (.962 SV%) he saw in Nashville, allowing exactly one goal per game at home. Home ice advantage reigned, and may have buoyed the Predators goalie heading back out on the road.

As the series shifts back to Pittsburgh, there is no shortage of excitement and anticipation for what might unfold. At the center of all of it is Nashville’s goalie and whether he can continue his home ice dominance on the road. If he does, he may just solidify his case as a Conn Smythe consideration. If he doesn’t, he may end up the scapegoat for years to come. Either way, this series has been somewhat of a microcosm of Rinne’s career, and gives him the chance to grab the spotlight and be the hero for the team he has backstopped his entire career. No matter the outcome, Rinne’s story is closely interwoven with this year’s finals outcome.

So…which Pekka Rinne will show up in Pittsburgh Thursday night?