Predators injury troubles give opportunity to others to step up

First it was Pekka Rinne who had to leave the third period of Nashville’s season opener. Marty Erat was next, out with back spasms and placed on injured reserve. Matthew Lombardi then suffered a concussion against Chicago last Wednesday. And during Saturday’s OT loss to the Washington Capitals, the Predators lost Marcel Goc to a nasty hit from behind by Niklas Backstrom. Goc is expected to miss the next 2-4 weeks.

Marcel Goc is the latest Predator to be injured this season (Photo: Yardbarker.com)

These are not minor losses for the Predators. Rinne is Nashville’s starting goaltender. Erat and Lombardi are two thirds of the Predators’ top line. And Goc is a defensive forward with an offensive upswing with two goals in four games. While injuries can prove to be devastating for a team, they also provide an opportunity for other, less prominent players to step up their game or, in some cases, to just get in it.

Predators goaltending question settled with 13-feet of goalie

The Nashville Predators announced Thursday afternoon that goalie Mark Dekanich was reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals. Dekanich played two periods during the preseason, but faced only a handful of shots each game. In Nashville’s preseason opener, Dekanich stopped 6 of 7 shots faced in a 3-1 losing cause to Carolina. The following night, Dekanich started the game for Nashville and again stopped 6 of 7 shots faced in a 2-1 win. Dekanich dressed for Wednesday night’s game in Atlanta, but after Anders Lindback allowed two quick goals in the second period, Coach Barry Trotz decided to leave Lindback in goal for the final 20 minutes.

With Dekanich being sent to Milwaukee, Lindback is the only goalie vying for the job of backup remaining at camp. Jeremy Smith and Chet Pickard had already been sent to the Admirals training camp.