Predators' Juuse Saros inspired by 'big brother' Pekka Rinne in win vs Hurricanes

Call it the Pekka Rinne effect.

With the soon-to-be Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender looking on, the Nashville Predators beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 at Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 3.

And Rinne’s main pupil, goaltender Juuse Saros, played sensational in net for the Predators.

“His big brother was here,” captain Roman Josi said after the win, which was the second straight for the Predators (6-4-5, 17 points).

Saros made 29 saves, including 12 in the third period, to improve to 4-3-4 on the season. According to Money Puck, he saved 2.56 goals above expected, holding the Hurricanes (12-3-2) to one goal on 3.56 expected goals.

“He made so many amazing saves tonight and he’s been doing it all year,” Josi added. “It’s pretty cool for all of us to have (Rinne) in the building.”

Before the game, Rinne was honored with a ceremonial puck drop and a video tribute. On Nov. 9, Rinne will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame alongside Patrice Bergeron, Carey Price, Cindy Curley, Keith Tkachuk and Brian Burke. Rinne will be the second Predators player to enter the Hall, joining defenseman Shea Weber (2025).

The Predators’ most decorated goaltender, Rinne is the all-time franchise leader in wins (369), shutouts (60), and playoff wins (45). Before he retired in 2021, Rinne helped mentor a young Saros, developing him into the team’s starting goaltender.

Since his NHL debut in 2016, Saros leads Nashville in wins (233) and shutouts (27).

“(Rinne) is one of the all-time best goalies and human beings,” coach Andrew Brunette said. “When he’s around (Josi) and (Forsberg) and (Saros), the guys that played with him, it just kind of uplifts them.”

On that point, Josi and Forsberg also played well in the win: Josi scored a goal and assist, and Forsberg had two assists, including one on Josi’s goal.

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“It’s almost like they don’t want to let (Rinne) down, which is pretty cool to see,” Brunette added. “The impact that (Rinne) has on this organization, that’s why he’s a Hall of Famer.”

Next up, the Predators visit the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 5 (7 p.m. CT, ESPN+).

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com, follow him on X at @alexdaugherty1 or check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators’ Juuse Saros inspired by ‘big brother’ Pekka Rinne in win vs Hurricanes