Even if it’s slightly exaggerated, it seems like the Nashville Predators are forced to find a new starter every year since their No. 1 always gets hurt. First, it was Tomas Vokoun making way for Chris Mason. Mason then had to fight off Dan Ellis, who was scuttled aside for their current big-money guy, Pekka Rinne.
After a sterling 29 for 30 save performance through most of the Predators’ season opener, Rinne went down with a “lower body injury” after his defenseman Francis Bouillon pushed Troy Bodie on top of him. The Sporting News has the story.
Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne is day-to-day with what team officials call a lower-body injury from Saturday’s 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. “I know it’s not anything major,” coach Barry Trotz told reporters after the game.
Rinne was seen walking without a limp after the game, The Tennessean of Nashville reported. He was not made available to the media.
Rinne left the game at 17:24 of the third period, just over a minute after Anaheim’s Troy Bodie fell onto him and into the goal. Bodie had been pushed by Predators defenseman Francis Bouillon.
“We both fell on (Rinne), and hopefully it’s not that bad,” Bouillon told The Tennessean. “I felt kind of bad, but it’s part of the game. My game is to play physical and to hit some guys, so I had no choice.”
It’s a tough blow to the Predators as Rinne enters his first season as a true unquestioned starter, but if any team can roll with the injury-based punches, it’s Nashville.