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Dallas Stars: Central Division Result Analyses of Next Season

By Avery Klatsky

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 12: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell MTS Place on May 12, 2018 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 12: Patrik Laine #29 of the Winnipeg Jets is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a first period goal against the Vegas Golden Knights in Game One of the Western Conference Finals during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell MTS Place on May 12, 2018 in Winnipeg, Canada. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 20: (L-R) Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators accepts the Vezina Trophy, given to the top goaltender, as actor Jim Belushi and accountant Scott Foster look on during the 2018 NHL Awards presented by Hulu at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on June 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 20: (L-R) Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators accepts the Vezina Trophy, given to the top goaltender, as actor Jim Belushi and accountant Scott Foster look on during the 2018 NHL Awards presented by Hulu at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on June 20, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Best Goaltender – Pekka Rinne

Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne will most likely be the best netminder in the Central Division next season. Rinne recorded a .927 save percentage and only allowed an average of 2.31 goals per game last year. He also had eight shutouts while playing in 59 games in the 2017-18 season.

Rinne’s only big challenger for best goaltender in the Central Division is Jets’ goalie Connor Hellebuyck, who was outstanding in the postseason for Winnipeg. The main difference is that Rinne becomes an unrestricted free agent after the end of next season. This probably means that he’ll be more motivated to play better to get a pay raise next offseason.

Pekka has a career save percentage of .919% and has recorded a 2.37 GAA. Rinne will lead the Preds with his solid netminding.

Nashville, who finished first in the Central Division last season, may not be able to compete with Winnipeg or St. Louis for 1st next year. They did win the Presidents’ Trophy for finishing first in the Western Conference last season, ending with 53 wins and only losing 18 games in regular time (with 11 overtime losses). That, in large part, is thanks to Pekka Rinne and his outstanding presence in net.

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Next: What Jamie Benn needs to do this season

Look for Rinne to continue with more of the same netminding this season.

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