//NHL Qualifying Round Playoff Preview: Predators vs. Coyotes

NHL Qualifying Round Playoff Preview: Predators vs. Coyotes

Can the Coyotes recover from their GM’s shocking departure and pull an upset over a Predators team with a foggy forecast in net?

NASHVILLE PREDATORS – By Jared Clinton

Jusse Saros waited long enough for Pekka Rinne to hand over the keys to the Predators’ crease, so the heir apparent simply shoved his veteran counterpart out of the way. Saros asserting himself as the starter-of-today rather than the starter-of-tomorrow couldn’t have come a moment sooner, either. Nashville closed December tied for last in the Central Division, but Saros’ impressive record and exceptional play since the beginning of the new year – he was among the league’s leaders in save percentage from Jan. 1 onward – aided in the Predators’ pursuit of a sixth consecutive post-season appearance.

Saros, of course, has the benefit of playing behind one of the deepest defense corps in the NHL. Even after parting ways with P.K. Subban,