The Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators begin their first round series today and leading up to Game One, I’ve been looking at how the teams compare in different areas. This article will focus on which team has an advantage in net.
Coming into the year, goaltending wasn’t supposed to be an asset for the Hurricanes. However, Alex Nedeljkovic has emerged as a legitimate starter, with a .932 save percentage and 15-5-3 record in 23 games this year. He'll be starting today, but the Hurricanes certainly have options if Nedeljkovic stumbles.
Petr Mrazek has been good in limited action, due to missing a chunk of the season with a thumb injury. He’s posted a .923 save percentage in 12 games this year and despite his lack of consistency over the last few seasons, Mrazek has looked good this year. The team even has James Reimer to fall back on if needed. Reimer only posted a .906 save percentage this year but played 22 games and did get into playoff action for the Hurricanes last season.
Nashville also has stability in net though. Juuse Saros has been outstanding for the Predators in the back half of the season, posting a .941 save percentage in his final 23 games and a .927 save percentage overall this season. If that doesn’t say enough, the Predators ranked 13th in the league for lowest expected goals against based on the chances they were allowing, but ranked fourth in the league in fewest goals against (according to NaturalStatTrick.com). It’s a telling sign as to how important Nashville’s goaltending has been.
After Saros, the Predators still have Pekka Rinne, who has 89 games of playoff experience and had a .907 save percentage this year. If needed, Rinne will be capable of stepping in.
Both teams should be confident in their goaltending but I think Nashville has a slight edge here. Carolina may have more options but I don’t know that you want to bet against Juuse Saros right now either.
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Carolina Hurricanes Blogger • 
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