NASHVILLE – Before the season started, the worst-case scenario for the Nashville Predators was Pekka Rinne suffering any sort of setback from off-season hip surgery.
Through nine games he looked fine. He was getting better with each passing game. But something changed late Tuesday night – something that will keep the Predators’ two-time Vezina nominee out of action for at least the next month.
Rinne randomly developed an infection in his hip when the team returned home after a 2-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Rinne was forced to make numerous big saves to keep his team in the game but couldn’t get any goal support. It was arguably his best effort of the season.
That makes Thursday’s news that much more surprising to the Predators.
“When he got back to Nashville after the plane ride home [Tuesday night] he developed some soreness and stiffness in his hip, got a little bit of a fever, came in yesterday to practice with a significant limp and in a fair bit of pain,” Predators GM David Poile said Thursday morning. “Even talking to the doctor, they have no idea how this developed five months after [surgery].”
Rinne’s sudden departure from the lineup leaves the Predators in a bind. Yes, they have a lot of confidence in Carter Hutton and prospect Magnus Hellberg, who was called up from Milwaukee on Thursday, but the two of them have a combined three games of NHL experience.
It’s a risky proposition for the Preds, who will play nine of their next 12 games on the road. The situation serves as an opportunity for both goalies.
“This is definitely not the way you want to win the job or win games, but at the same time you always have to be ready,” Hutton said. “I understand the pressure and the spotlight, but that comes with being a goalie. I think a lot of games over my career have prepared me to just play. Whatever happens, happens.”
Hutton has appeared in two games for the Predators this season and has looked sharp. He was called upon in relief in St. Louis on Opening Night and as the starter this past Sunday in Winnipeg. In the two games combined, Hutton has stopped 59 of the 61 shots he faced. Sunday marked his first NHL win.
“Hutton played great in Winnipeg, and the team wouldn’t have signed him if they didn’t believe in him,” captain Shea Weber said. “We’re in a position where we’re going to need someone to step up and this is his opportunity.”
In three games with Milwaukee this season, Hellberg has a 1-2-0 record with a 2.33 goals-against average and .913 save percentage. Predators head coach Barry Trotz said that he will take the goaltending situation day by day, meaning Hellberg will get his chance soon.
Poile said Thursday he does not anticipate scouring the market for an additional goaltender. He’s confident in Hutton and Hellberg despite their inexperience.
“This always creates an opportunity for somebody else. How many times have we seen this is in sports and in life?” Poile said. “Obviously it’s disappointing that Pekka Rinne gets hurt, but our team has seen enough in Carter and sees how hard he works and how hard he tries, the improvement he has made, that they believe he will win games for us.”
As mentioned, this is a tough stretch coming up for the Predators. Not only will they embark on a 17-day road trip starting next Wednesday, but they will be facing some of the NHL’s elite teams over the next three weeks: St. Louis, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Chicago and even upstart Colorado.
The Predators have played well of late, going 4-1-1 in their last six games, but going forward without Rinne for at least a month will be a big test for Hutton and Hellberg in the Predators’ crease.