For Pekka Rinne, maybe the timing is right.
After losing five straight starts from Jan. 5 through Jan. 19, the struggling Nashville Predators goalie - his .906 save percentage is very un-Rinne-like - has seemingly found his game. He won his third straight decision Tuesday, backstopping his team to a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
Rinne made 28 saves - the Predators were outshot 29-19 - and all three of his latest wins have come on the road.
Pekka Rinne on this road trip: 3-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .962 SV%.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) January 27, 2016
As Rinne goes, so do the Predators. The club won only once from the 5th through 19th, and it was a game backup Carter Hutton started. But Rinne's the man in Nashville and the club will sink or swim with him in the unofficial second half of the season.
Nashville's playing again Wednesday, in Calgary, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Rinne back in the crease, with All-Star weekend on the horizon - although Rinne won't be getting a mini vacation.
With the 3-on-3 tournament being played in Music City, Rinne will be representing the Predators at home along with his two stud defensemen, Roman Josi and Shea Weber.
While Rinne would probably like the opportunity to continue in game action, and keep his hot hand going, perhaps it works in his favor that he won't be forced off the ice over the weekend. He'll be busy as Saturday night is the NHL's All-Star Skills Competition, and the tournament Sunday.
While 3-on-3 is never easy - and probably not any fun - for goalies, perhaps it's a blessing in disguise that Rinne will be between the pipes when the festivities take place. He's finally seeing the rubber the way he's used to. It's in his best interest to keep the pucks coming.
