The only time the names Pekka Rinne, Antti Niemi, and Tuukka Rask were mentioned before the playoffs was usually in regards to a goaltending “controversy”—but this ménage trois of magnificently miraculous masked men has carried their teams on their backs in the first round.
Rinne and Niemi are in a tough position because they are playing one another in the first round; therefore, only one youngster can advance. Through two games, Rinne and Niemi are both 1-1.
Rinne stifled the Chicago Blackhawks impressive offense in the first game, holding them to just one goal on 26 shots in a 4-1 win.
In the same game, Niemi was not spectacular, but he was consistent. He stopped 22 of 24 shots.
Game Two was a tough loss for Rinne, who played another stellar game. He stopped 31 shots of the 33 he faced, but received no goal support in a 2-0 loss.
Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Matthew Hogan