Lankinen allowed five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%) in his previous start against the Colorado Avalanche. The Predators' backup has been incredibly solid in limited action, posting a 2-2-0 record with his 2.60 GAA and .921 SV%. He takes on the Detroit Red Wings who ranks third last in the NHL with 28.9 shots per game but 13th in goals per game with 3.28.
Lankinen stopped all 13 of 13 shots in relief his last time between the pipes as he filled in after Jusse Saaros was pulled vs. Seattle after four goals on six shots. The Predators' backup has been great this season, with a 2-1-0 record along with his .940 SV% and 1.91 GAA. Lankinen will take on an Avalanche team that is coming off back-to-back wins over Columbus in Finland and ranks eighth in the NHL in GF/GP with 3.55 per game.
Kevin Lankinen will get the start between the pipes Saturday in Prague. He will get his first start as a Predator after posting a .901 SV% in 69 Career games played with the Chicago Blackhawks across two seasons. He will look to continue the Predators' winning ways after they won the inaugural game of the season 4-1 on Friday.
Lankinen spent his first two NHL seasons in Chicago, where he was solid in 2021 but struggled in 2022. Last season he was 8-15-6 with a 3.50 GAA and .891 SV% in 32 games. Heading to Nashville, he'll battle with Connor Ingram for the backup role behind Juuse Saros.
