Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (Associated Press file)
Spotlight on… Pekka Rinne, goaltender, Predators
When: Tuesday against the Avalanche at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
What’s up: Rinne probably will be in the net when the Avs make their season’s second visit to Music City.
Background: For the revitalized Predators, Rinne has been stingy in posting the second-best goals-against average and save percentage to Montreal’s Carey Price in the NHL going into the weekend. Rinne was out for three weeks with a minor knee injury before returning to the crease Feb. 5 against Anaheim, and although he allowed five goals on 40 shots in a loss to the Islanders on Thursday, he mostly has been strong since. The Avs faced backups Carter Hutton and Marek Mazanec in late January, getting three points in the home-and-home set over four days. Rinne will be more formidable.
Frei’s take: Price and Rinne will duel for the Vezina Trophy, but also are candidates for the Hart Trophy.
