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Pekka Rinne's Record-Setting Pace

The NHL has been tracking shots against goaltenders since 1983-1984. Since that time, a goaltender has faced 2400 shots against just four times: Felix Potvin in 1996-97, Marc Denis in 2002-03, Roberto Luongo in 2003-04 and Luongo again in 2005-06. If the Nashville Predators keep coughing up shots and Barry Trotz maintains his usage levels of Pekka Rinne, a fourth man is going to join that illustrious group.

Nashville is currently last in the league in shots against at 33.1 per game. Pekka Rinne has started 21 of Nashville's 22 games and has played 88% of Nashville's goalie minutes. It's highly unlikely that Rinne will start 78 games this season, but it's possible -- as recently as two years ago, Martin Brodeur started 76 games and played 90% of New Jersey's minutes. Given Nashville's current shots against rates, should Rinne duplicate Brodeur's workload, he'll face 2,446 shots.

Year Team Shots against
Roberto Luongo 2005-06 Florida 2488
Roberto Luongo 2003-04 Florida 2475
Pekka Rinne 2011-12 Nashville 2446
Felix Potvin 1996-97 Toronto 2438
Marc Denis 2002-03 Columbus 2404

That workload places Rinne third all-time (since 1983) in shots against.

If he stays on his current pace and starts 78 games, Roberto Luongo's record is in jeopardy.


Next Game

Nashville Predators
@ Edmonton Oilers

Monday, Nov 28, 2011, 7:30 PM MST
Rexall Place

On the Forecheck

"We have a lot of guys that are playing like a shadow of last year" - On the Forecheck
Brent Peterson provided a pretty frank assessment of the Predators' play of late.

Roman Josi recalled by Nashville Predators - On the Forecheck
This guy boasts impressive talent, mobility, and puck-moving ability, and had the chance to get used to North American hockey last season with the Admirals. The slow-but-steady development path has been followed to a "T" with Josi to this point, so he should be ready to help shore up what has been a shaky Nashville blueline at times.

Niclas Bergfors on unconditional waivers - On the Forecheck
Niclas Bergfors may be really on his way out of town, now...

Magnus PaajarviShawn HorcoffAles Hemsky
Ryan SmythRyan Nugent-HopkinsJordan Eberle
Ryan JonesEric BelangerSam Gagner
Darcy HordichukAnton LanderLennart Petrell

Ladislav Smid - Tom Gilbert
Ryan Whitney - Jeff Petry
Theo Peckham - Colten Teubert

Nikolai Khabibulin

A Different Look At The NHL Standings - Cult of Hockey
Minnesota and Dallas, on the other hand, are probably being flattered by their current records.

G24 Predators at Oilers - Lowetide
Taylor Hall's injury gives coach Renney a chance to shuffle the deck and elevate one of the bottom sixers into a feature role. Now, he sure doesn't want to (Hall's a better player than the men available to replace him) but for at least a few games (more likely longer) one of the lesser lights gets a chance on the big stage.

Game Day "Predators" - Oilers Jambalaya
The way they are handling Magnus to this point has been a shame and will not reap any rewards at this current rate of ice time and linemates. If Paajarvi is to break out he needs the ice time and less then 11 minutes a game just wont do while playing mostly 4th line and spotted time on 3rd. Use him on the point instead of Belanger on the second unit PP as well. If the team is not going to play him in Hall's spot now, when will they play him more?

Oilers vs. Predators – Putting on the Foil
Some good news for Paajarvi tonight.. he’ll finally stop being screwed in the line up and will play with Horcoff and Hemsky. He should get quite a few minutes tonight to try and strut his stuff. About time. Make the best of it, kid.

Complete Coverage >



Edmonton Oilers Injuries

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player Injury Type Injury Date
Taylor Hall shoulder 11/28/2011
Andy Sutton groin 11/11/2011
Cam Barker ankle 11/11/2011
Taylor Fedun femur 10/03/2011


Nashville Predators Injuries

Out (IR / Out / Suspended / Physically unvailable)

Player Injury Type Injury Date
Teemu Laakso other-excused 11/08/2011
Roman Josi other-excused 09/25/2011