Rinne announced his retirement from professional hockey Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Finnish goaltender spent his entire 15-year career in Nashville, appearing in 683 games while posting a 369-213-75 record and 2.43 GAA and collecting 60 shutouts. A four-time All-Star, Rinne captured his lone Vezina Trophy in 2018 and was a finalist for the award in three other years. Rinne had transitioned into more of a part-time role in the past two seasons with the emergence of fellow countryman Juuse Saros, whom the Predators are expected to retain in restricted free agency this offseason.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Finishes strong with shutout
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Rinne posted a 30-save shutout in Monday's 5-0 win over the Hurricanes.
Rinne was excellent in Monday's regular-season finale, notching his second shutout of the year and the 60th of his career. The 38-year-old netminder finished the 2020-21 campaign with a 10-12-1 record, a 2.84 GAA and a .907 save percentage in 24 games. Juuse Saros is expected to be the starting goalie in the Predators' first-round playoff series against the Hurricanes, but Rinne offers a veteran option as backup should his fellow Finn falter.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Possible final appearance Monday
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Rinne will start Monday's season finale against the Hurricanes, Adam Vingan of The Athletic reports.
This could be the last appearance of Rinne's season, and possibly career, as the Predators will ride starter Juuse Saros once the postseason begins. The 38-year-old Rinne has gone 9-12-1 with a 2.97 GAA and .902 save percentage this season. With Carolina resting a number of key regulars, this matchup should be less daunting than it appears on paper.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Three-game win streak ends
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Rinne turned aside 31 of 33 shots in a 3-0 loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday.
It was a tough-luck loss for Rinne, who performed well enough to earn No. 3 star honors but saw his three-game winning streak come to a halt. The 38-year-old dropped to 9-12-1 on the year with a 2.97 GAA and .902 save percentage.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Tending twine Saturday
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Rinne will be in goal for Saturday's home contest against the Lightning.
Rinne will make his first appearance since March 28 as Juuse Saros has handled most of the goaltending duties as of late. The 38-year-old is on a three-game winning streak dating back to March 15, allowing six goals on 92 shots during that span. That streak was started by a 38-save victory over the Lightning, breaking a three-game losing streak against the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Allows two goals in win
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Rinne saved 27 of 29 shots in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Blackhawks.
Rinne gave up a pair of goals to Alex DeBrincat in the third period, but was otherwise effective in quieting the Blackhawks. The 38-year-old Rinne improved to 9-11-1 with a 3.02 GAA and a .900 save percentage through 22 contests this season. It's unclear how long Juuse Saros (undisclosed) will be sidelined, but the crease will likely belong to Rinne during Saros' absence.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Draws start Sunday
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Rinne will patrol the crease for Sunday's matchup against the Blackhawks, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Rinne has watched from the bench for the last three games but will look to win his third straight start. The 38-year-old has struggled to the tune of a 3.73 GAA and .885 save percentage in nine March appearances. He last faced Chicago on Jan. 26, allowing two goals on 20 shots in the victory.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Collects shootout win
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Rinne allowed three goals on 30 shots in Sunday's 4-3 shootout win over the Stars.
Rinne was solid Sunday, overcoming a slow start with a perfect third period and overtime. The Finn improved to 8-11-1 with a 3.07 GAA and an .899 save percentage in 21 appearances. The Predators return home for a two-game series against the Red Wings on Tuesday and Thursday, which presents a favorable matchup should Rinne get the starting nod in either contest.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Guarding crease Sunday
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Rinne will patrol the blue paint for Sunday's road tilt with Dallas.
Rinne is coming off one of his best starts of the season, stopping 38-of-39 shots in a win against the Lightning on March 15. Still, the veteran netminder owns an unsightly 3.09 GAA and .899 save percentage this season. In his last outing against the Stars, Rinne allowed three goals on 38 shots in a victory.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Busy in Monday's win
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Rinne turned aside 38 shots in Monday's 4-1 win over the Lightning.
His shutout bid was ruined by Steven Stamkos midway through the third period, but Rinne still set a new season high in saves during an exceptional performance that also included an assist on Calle Jarnkrok's short-handed tally. Good games have been few and far between for the veteran netminder, however. He'd allowed at least three goals in each of his prior six starts, and on the year Rinne carries a 3.09 GAA and .899 save percentage.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Five slip by in loss
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Rinne allowed five goals on 27 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Lightning on Saturday.
The odds were truly stacked against Rinne on Saturday -- the Bolts were on fire after their Cup banner was raised in front of 3,800 fans. It was Tampa's first home game this season with people in the stands. Rinne is 1-6-1 in his last eight decisions with a whopping 32 goals against. Two words. Stay away.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Protecting net Saturday
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Rinne will start in the road crease in Saturday's game versus the Lightning, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Rinne is making a seventh straight start with Juuse Saros (upper body) still out of commission. The 28-year-old Rinne has struggled lately, producing an .874 save percentage and a 4.17 GAA over his last six appearances. The odds are stacked against him Saturday, as the Bolts lead the league with 3.64 goals per game.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Legacy being tested
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Rinne allowed five goals on 23 shots Thursday before being pulled in the third period of a 5-1 loss to Carolina.
Rinne has been pushed into a heavy workload with Juuse Saros' recent injury and he has struggled. He's 1-3-1 in his last five starts and he's allowed five or more goals in three of those games.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Taking on Hurricanes
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Rinne will defend the road goal in Thursday's game versus the Hurricanes, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Rinne will remain in a workhorse role until Juuse Saros (upper body) returns. With job security in hand, Rinne has faltered recently, recording an .887 save percentage and a 1-3-1 record over his last five starts. He draws a red-hot Hurricanes squad that has won six straight.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Can't nail down lead
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Rinne made 32 saves Tuesday in a 3-2 overtime loss to Carolina.
Goals by Matt Benning and Ryan Johansen in the second period staked Rinne and the Predators to a 2-0 lead, but the Hurricanes came storming back with three unanswered tallies. Rinne has just one win in his last five starts (1-3-1) and has allowed three-plus goals in all five. With Juuse Saros (upper body) sidelined, Rinne could be right back between the pipes for Thursday's rematch.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Facing Hurricanes
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Rinne will guard the road cage in Tuesday's clash with Carolina, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Rinne was solid in his last start Sunday against the Stars, turning aside 35 of 38 shots en route to a 4-3 win. The veteran netminder will try to earn his seventh win of the season in a rough road matchup with a red-hot Hurricanes team that's won five straight games.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Blows lead, wins anyway
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Rinne gave up three goals on 38 shots in a 4-3 shootout win over the Stars.
Rinne kept the Stars off the scoreboard until 12:30 of the third period. They rallied to tie the game, but Rinne was good enough in overtime and the shootout to get the win. The Finn improved to 6-9-0 with a 2.93 GAA and a .902 save percentage in 16 appearances. The win snapped his four-game losing streak. Rinne will likely continue to start until Juuse Saros (upper body) is ready to return.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Tending twine Sunday
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Rinne will get the starting nod for Sunday's road contest against Dallas, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Rinne will make his third straight start and is looking to snap a four-game losing streak. Over his last two outings, he's been slammed for 11 goals on 70 shots. The 38-year-old will see the Stars for the first time this season.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Wheels coming off of late
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Rinne made 26 saves in a 6-2 loss Saturday to the Panthers.
Rinne has lost four straight and allowed 16 goals in that span. In fact, 15 of them came in just three outings. Rinne's decline is a bit sad to watch given his former glory -- he won the Vezina just a couple seasons ago (2018). He remains the franchise leader in wins and shutouts, but Juuse Saros, who has been recently sidelined by injury, should see the bulk of the starts. With sufficient rest and the right match-up, Rinne may be worth a daily start. But it's probably a wait-and-see.
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Predators' Pekka Rinne: Facing off against Panthers
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Rinne will protect the home net in Saturday's game versus the Panthers, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Rinne has lost three straight, but with Juuse Saros (upper body) on injured reserve, the veteran netminder will get the starting nod. The Panthers bring a high-powered offense to the table, as they're tied for eighth in the league with 3.23 goals per contest.
