Predators' Pekka Rinne relaxes, improves through playoffs

There were times early in this postseason that Preds goalie Pekka Rinne looked a little shaky — a big rebound given up one moment, a puck allowed to squeeze through the pads another moment.

Those instances, however, have become few and far between as the playoffs have progressed.

In the first five games of the postseason, Rinne was 2-3 with a 3.02 goals against average and an .889 save percentage.

In the past five games — since Game 6 against Anaheim — Rinne has gone 3-2 with a 1.63 goals against average and .947 save percentage.

Not surprisingly, Rinne said he’s felt more comfortable as the playoff games have piled up.

“I think, always, when you move on from the regular season to the postseason, you’re a little bit nervous,” Rinne said. “It’s more excitement than anything, but also nerves. But not anymore. Now it’s business as usual, I guess.”

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Through the first three games of the San Jose series, Rinne has posted a 2.05 goals against average and a .931 save percentage. That’s noticeably better than his regular-season numbers — a 2.48 goals against average and .908 save percentage.

“I think he’s played really well in the playoffs,” Predators coach Peter Laviolette said. “Back in Game 3 and Game 4 of the first round, we clearly could have done things better in front of him.

“But he’s given us a chance to win hockey games. He’s made big saves and key saves at the right time that has either held the game in check or held a team from tying or whatever it might be.”

Reach John Glennon at 615-259-8262 and on Twitter @glennonsports.