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We waited almost two years for this matchup.
Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators' present and future starting goaltender, playing against Yaroslav Askarov, Nashville's one-time top goaltending prospect.
Those two, meeting in a playoff-like setting at SAP Center on April 4 in San Jose, California, finally faced each other in a game, and with more than just bragging rights on the line. The result decided which team would hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference in the waning days of the regular season.
In the end, Saros stopped 24 of 27 shots as the Predatorsbeat the Sharks 6-3 and jumped back into playoff position. Askarov allowed five goals on 33 shots, dropping his record to 21-18-3 this season.
"We knew this trip was going to be an important one," Filip Forsberg, who scored two goals, told reporters after the win. "Pretty much every team on this trip is somebody we're trying to chase and we've taken care of business so far."
The Predators jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but saw the Sharks tie the game early in the third period. Then Ryan O'Reilly, Erik Haula and Tyson Jost scored to seal the win for Nashville (36-31-9, 81 points).
"Proud of the group," coach Andrew Brunette said. "We've kind of been built for this. Three to three going into the third period, blow the lead, go through some adversity, but hung in there together. Like we've done all year."
The win for the Predators is the main takeaway, but don't ignore the larger context.
Some 20 months ago, general manager Barry Trotz made an important decision on Saros and Askarov that was not received well by many.
In August 2024, Trotz signed Saros to an eight-year extension, keeping him in Nashville through 2033. This prompted Askarov, the Predators' No. 11 overall pick in 2020, to ask for a trade. Trotz obliged, sending Askarov to San Jose for a first-round pick and forward David Edstrom.
The decision to pay Saros, now 30 years old, north of $7 million per year, instead of investing in a young, talented goaltender, was seen as a misstep.
But at least in the short run, it has paid off for Nashville. Saros has outplayed Askarov, now 23, since the trade. And Askarov has been relegated to a backup role in San Jose — something he was trying to avoid in Nashville.
In two games against the Predators, he has not fared well, allowing 11 goals and a save percentage of .847. Meanwhile, Saros is 28-20-7 with an .894 save percentage this season.
"(Saros) has been unbelievable for us," Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly told the media after the game. "Again tonight, huge saves there. He gives us a chance to win."
TV UPDATE: Predators, FanDuel Sports Network broadcast partnership to end after 2025-26 season
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Saros vs Askarov underscored Predators vs Sharks fight for wild card
Continue reading...
Juuse Saros, the Nashville Predators' present and future starting goaltender, playing against Yaroslav Askarov, Nashville's one-time top goaltending prospect.
Those two, meeting in a playoff-like setting at SAP Center on April 4 in San Jose, California, finally faced each other in a game, and with more than just bragging rights on the line. The result decided which team would hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference in the waning days of the regular season.
In the end, Saros stopped 24 of 27 shots as the Predatorsbeat the Sharks 6-3 and jumped back into playoff position. Askarov allowed five goals on 33 shots, dropping his record to 21-18-3 this season.
"We knew this trip was going to be an important one," Filip Forsberg, who scored two goals, told reporters after the win. "Pretty much every team on this trip is somebody we're trying to chase and we've taken care of business so far."
The Predators jumped out to a 3-0 lead, but saw the Sharks tie the game early in the third period. Then Ryan O'Reilly, Erik Haula and Tyson Jost scored to seal the win for Nashville (36-31-9, 81 points).
"Proud of the group," coach Andrew Brunette said. "We've kind of been built for this. Three to three going into the third period, blow the lead, go through some adversity, but hung in there together. Like we've done all year."
Predators' Juuse Saros outbattles former understudy Yaroslav Askarov
The win for the Predators is the main takeaway, but don't ignore the larger context.
Some 20 months ago, general manager Barry Trotz made an important decision on Saros and Askarov that was not received well by many.
In August 2024, Trotz signed Saros to an eight-year extension, keeping him in Nashville through 2033. This prompted Askarov, the Predators' No. 11 overall pick in 2020, to ask for a trade. Trotz obliged, sending Askarov to San Jose for a first-round pick and forward David Edstrom.
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The decision to pay Saros, now 30 years old, north of $7 million per year, instead of investing in a young, talented goaltender, was seen as a misstep.
But at least in the short run, it has paid off for Nashville. Saros has outplayed Askarov, now 23, since the trade. And Askarov has been relegated to a backup role in San Jose — something he was trying to avoid in Nashville.
In two games against the Predators, he has not fared well, allowing 11 goals and a save percentage of .847. Meanwhile, Saros is 28-20-7 with an .894 save percentage this season.
"(Saros) has been unbelievable for us," Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly told the media after the game. "Again tonight, huge saves there. He gives us a chance to win."
TV UPDATE: Predators, FanDuel Sports Network broadcast partnership to end after 2025-26 season
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our Predators exclusive Instagram page @tennessean_preds.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Saros vs Askarov underscored Predators vs Sharks fight for wild card
Continue reading...
