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Predators goalie Juuse Saros struggles in Olympic debut for Finland
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- Predators goalie Juuse Saros struggles in Olympic debut for Finland
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros made his Olympic debut for Finland on Feb. 11, and it did not go well.
Saros stopped 21 of 24 shots in a 4-1 loss to Slovakia, a crushing blow to Finland's hopes for a medal in the tournament.
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Finland went down 1-0 when Juraj Slafkovsky found room in front of Saros, deking around him for the score. Former Predators forward Eeli Tolvanen , who now plays for the Seattle Kraken , tied the game for Finland early in the second period.
But Slovakia scored twice in the third period to take a commanding lead — Dalibor Dvorsky beat Saros in tight, roofing the puck over Saros' right shoulder, then Slafkovsky scored another on the power play.
Both goals were unscreened in front — Saros had full view of each shot, but couldn't make the save.
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends against the Dallas Stars during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) makes a save against Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 5, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Finland's #74 Juuse Saros catches the puck during the men's preliminary round Group B Ice Hockey match between Slovakia and Finland at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on February 11, 2026. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP via Getty Images)
(ALEXANDER NEMENOV, AFP via Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 09: Juuse Saros #74 of Team Finland is seen prior to training on day three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 09, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) is recognized with other players who are headed to the Winter Olympics before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends against St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg (6) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) falls to the ice defending against the Utah Mammoth during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) speaks with referee Jake Brenk (26) during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros signs autographs during the Gold Walk before their home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Finland goalie Juuse Saros (74) makes a save against Team USA forward Jack Hughes (86) in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
(David Kirouac, David Kirouac-Imagn Images)
Former Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, right, speaks with goaltender Juuse Saros, left, and center Colton Sissons, center, during the Nashville Predators Golden Hall of Fame induction at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves (27) collides with Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) celebrates defeating the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Edmonton Oilers center Jeff Skinner (53) scores a goal as Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) loses his mask during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) loses his mask colliding with Vancouver Canucks center Pius Suter (24) during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, April 26, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (91) collides with Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) deflects a shot from Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) heads to the ice for warm ups before a game against the Calgary Flames at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) gets caught in a spray of ice during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
Jan. 11: Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros dives but cannot stop the shot from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner.
(Dan Hamilton, USA TODAY Sports)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) loses his mask while blocking a Colorado Avalanche shot during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) gets arrives for the NHL Stadium Series game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) keeps his eyes on the puck during the second period of an NHL Stadium Series game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) catches a shot as they face the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, May 23, 2021.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 19, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends the goal as Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) tries to shoot the puck into the net during the second period at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) looks to glove the puck during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks a shot on goal by Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) poses with a fan during the 2019 Gold Walk before the home opener at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators left wing Austin Watson (51) goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) goaltender Juuse Saros (74) and right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrate the win over the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.
(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) deflects a Golden Knights shot on goal during the third period at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / The Tennessean)
Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks a Oilers shot on goal during the second period at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) catches a Vegas Golden Knights shot during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) watches as a Vegas Golden Knights shot nearly heads into the goal during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Predators goalie Juuse Saros wipes his face in front of a benched Pekka Rinne during the second period of Game 5 on Thursday.
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) wipes his face in front of a benched goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during the second period of game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Thursday, June 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) blocks a shot during the second period of game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Thursday, June 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (56) celebrates with goalie Juuse Saros (74) and his teammates after his goal won game three in the first-round NHL playoff series at the Bridgestone Arena, Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / The Tennessean)
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) plays the puck in front of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Carl Hagelin (62) during a game on Oct. 22, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn.
(Christopher Hanewinckel / USA TO)
The Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros watches his teammates during practice, Wednesday Sept. 28, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn.
(Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends against the Dallas Stars during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends against the Dallas Stars during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) makes a save against Boston Bruins center Elias Lindholm (28) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 5, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Finland's #74 Juuse Saros catches the puck during the men's preliminary round Group B Ice Hockey match between Slovakia and Finland at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, on February 11, 2026. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP via Getty Images)
(ALEXANDER NEMENOV, AFP via Getty Images)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 09: Juuse Saros #74 of Team Finland is seen prior to training on day three of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 09, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Bruce Bennett, Getty Images)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) is recognized with other players who are headed to the Winter Olympics before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
(ANDREW NELLES / THE TENNESSEAN)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends against St. Louis Blues defenseman Philip Broberg (6) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) falls to the ice defending against the Utah Mammoth during the first period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) speaks with referee Jake Brenk (26) during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros signs autographs during the Gold Walk before their home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Finland goalie Juuse Saros (74) makes a save against Team USA forward Jack Hughes (86) in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
(David Kirouac, David Kirouac-Imagn Images)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Former Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne, right, speaks with goaltender Juuse Saros, left, and center Colton Sissons, center, during the Nashville Predators Golden Hall of Fame induction at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Ryan Graves (27) collides with Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) celebrates defeating the Colorado Avalanche 5-2 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Edmonton Oilers center Jeff Skinner (53) scores a goal as Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) loses his mask during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) loses his mask colliding with Vancouver Canucks center Pius Suter (24) during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, April 26, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (91) collides with Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) deflects a shot from Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) heads to the ice for warm ups before a game against the Calgary Flames at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) gets caught in a spray of ice during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.
(Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Jan. 11: Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros dives but cannot stop the shot from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner.
(Dan Hamilton, USA TODAY Sports)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) loses his mask while blocking a Colorado Avalanche shot during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) gets arrives for the NHL Stadium Series game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) keeps his eyes on the puck during the second period of an NHL Stadium Series game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) catches a shot as they face the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, May 23, 2021.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, April 19, 2021.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends the goal as Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Alex Killorn (17) tries to shoot the puck into the net during the second period at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) looks to glove the puck during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
(Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks a shot on goal by Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) during the second period at Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) poses with a fan during the 2019 Gold Walk before the home opener at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019.
(George Walker IV / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators left wing Austin Watson (51) goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) goaltender Juuse Saros (74) and right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrate the win over the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center.
(Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) deflects a Golden Knights shot on goal during the third period at Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) blocks a Oilers shot on goal during the second period at Bridgestone Arena Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) catches a Vegas Golden Knights shot during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) watches as a Vegas Golden Knights shot nearly heads into the goal during the second period at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Predators goalie Juuse Saros wipes his face in front of a benched Pekka Rinne during the second period of Game 5 on Thursday.
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) wipes his face in front of a benched goalie Pekka Rinne (35) during the second period of game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Thursday, June 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) blocks a shot during the second period of game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena Thursday, June 8, 2017, in Pittsburgh, Pa.
(Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (56) celebrates with goalie Juuse Saros (74) and his teammates after his goal won game three in the first-round NHL playoff series at the Bridgestone Arena, Tuesday, April 18, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn.
(George Walker IV / The Tennessean)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) plays the puck in front of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Carl Hagelin (62) during a game on Oct. 22, 2016 in Nashville, Tenn.
(Christopher Hanewinckel / USA TO)
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Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators goalie in 11th NHL season
The Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros watches his teammates during practice, Wednesday Sept. 28, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn.
(Lacy Atkins / The Tennessean)
Adam Ruzicka added an empty net goal, sealing the 4-1 win for Slovakia.
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The loss puts Finland (0-1-0, 0 points) at the bottom of Group B, with its next matchup against Sweden on Feb. 13 (5:10 a.m. CT). The top two teams in each group advance to the playoff round, which begins Feb. 17.
Saros, 30, had an excellent junior hockey career for his home country, leading Finland to a gold medal at the 2014 World Junior Championships. He also played for Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off and at the IIHF World Championships in 2025.
Now in his 11th season for the Predators, Saros was once the backup to Pekka Rinne , then took over the starting job after Rinne's retirement in 2021. Saros immediately became one of the NHL's top goaltenders: From 2021 to 2024, Saros went 127-83-16, finishing as high as third in Vezina Trophy voting.
But Saros has seen a decline in production the past two seasons , his save percentage dropping from .916 to .894. He also leads the NHL in losses (48) since 2024-25.
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This season, Saros is 21-17-5 with an .892 save percentage and a 3.20 goals allowed average. According to Money Puck , he ranks 65th (out of 70) in goals saved above expected, a metric that isolates goaltending results from a team's defensive play.
In 2024, Saros signed an eight-year, $61 million contract extension that will keep him in Nashville through 2033.
OLYMPICS SCHEDULE: When will Predators' Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi play in Olympics?
Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at jdaugherty@gannett.com . 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: Predators goalie Juuse Saros struggles in Olympic debut for Finland
