Nashville Predators: Team Finland's Struggles Aren't On Pekka Rinne
The Nashville Predators goaltender may be in net for Team Finland’s struggles at the World Cup of Hockey, but that doesn’t mean he’s to blame.
To Nashville Predators fans: it is way too early to panic about Pekka Rinne. I’m sure many of us, myself included, were hoping to see a dominant performance from Pekka throughout the World Cup tournament to silence any doubts we had after a rather disappointing regular season showing in 2016. Thus far though that hasn’t happened.
With only one victory in his first three starts (a 3-2 exhibition win against Team Sweden in overtime) Pekka just hasn’t looked like the dominant net minder that we’re used to seeing. That’s if you’re only looking at Pekka and not the terrible defense that’s been playing in front of him.
MacKinnon goal pic.twitter.com/jBIek1Jj0g
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 19, 2016
Eichel goal pic.twitter.com/idD1EvX9Or
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 19, 2016
Drouin goal pic.twitter.com/3CPkMqXNoR
— Shane O'Donnell (@shane1342o) September 19, 2016
While Rinne’s rebound control left a lot to be desired on that last one, it’s not hard to see that he’s not getting any help clearing the crease from his defense. If anything, they were spending more time trying to find the puck than Pekka was. Rinne would finish the night with 39 saves and a .907 save percentage. A solid performance considering Team North American dominated every aspect of the game.
Rinne would finish the night with 39 saves and a .907 save percentage. A solid performance considering Team North American dominated every aspect of the game.
yikes pic.twitter.com/iH4bGd9cds
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 19, 2016
It wasn’t even a contest after forty minutes of hockey. Team North America was just too much for the Finns to handle.
Somebody check and see if the Finns are still alive. (Chart via @HockeyStatsCa) pic.twitter.com/l7DvSGE8cn
— The Hockey Guys (@TheHockeyGuys) September 19, 2016
The analytics and eye-check are saying the same thing; Team Finland has been playing terribly in this tournament and unfortunately Pekka is along for the ride. That doesn’t mean he isn’t trying. Just take a look at some of these saves.
so close to 4-0 pic.twitter.com/fH44Eog0h8
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 19, 2016
Ristolainen/Rinne save pic.twitter.com/MM23p5DkQV
— Stephanie (@myregularface) September 19, 2016
So don’t panic, at least not just yet. Pekka is still one of the best goalies in the game and will be just fine in Nashville. Team Finland on the other hand, they need all the help they can get at this point.
On the flip side of things, Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi was the only +3 player on the ice for his team’s victory when Team Europe shocked Team USA Saturday night, while Matthias Ekholm and Filip Forsberg both tasted victory with Team Sweden.
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