Juuse Saros Seeks Olympic Redemption After Disappointing NHL Season
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros has endured a challenging and uncharacteristically difficult season in the National Hockey League, marked by inconsistency and career-low statistics. As the men's hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 approaches, Saros is poised to use the international stage as a crucial opportunity for a hard reset and personal redemption with Team Finland.
A Season of Struggle in the NHL
Through 56 games this season, Juuse Saros has posted the lowest save percentage of his ten-year professional career, a concerning .892. Despite being one of the busiest netminders in the league—tied with Karel Vejmelka of the Utah Mammoth for the lead with 44 starts—this heavy workload has not translated to on-ice success. The Predators' record reflects this struggle, standing at 26 wins, 23 losses, and 7 overtime losses, placing them fifth in the competitive Central Division.
The 30-year-old Finnish goalie will begin his Olympic campaign as the starter for Finland, facing Slovakia in their Group B opener on Wednesday at 10:40 a.m. Eastern Time at Santagiulia Arena. Saros has emphasized that he views the Olympics as a distinct and separate challenge from his NHL difficulties, telling reporters, "This is a completely different game and a different tournament, and I am trying to focus on this for as long as we are here." He is expected to maintain the number one goaltender position throughout the tournament as Finland, the defending gold medalists, pursue back-to-back Olympic titles.
Teammates and Coaches Express Unwavering Confidence
Despite his underwhelming NHL performance, Juuse Saros has retained the full trust and support of his Finnish teammates and coaching staff. Boston Bruins defenseman Henri Jokiharju directly dismissed any narrative that Saros needs to prove himself, stating, "I don't think he has to prove himself to anyone. He's a top goalie in the NHL and in this tournament, and he doesn't need to prove himself to anyone."
Finland's head coach, Antti Pennanen, reinforced this confidence by pointing to Saros's exceptional performance at the 2025 World Championships. At that tournament, Saros rebounded impressively with a 4-2-0 record, a stellar .943 save percentage, and a 1.67 goals-against average, showcasing the elite form that established his reputation. "He is one of the best goalies in the NHL, and last [Worlds] he was really, really good," Pennanen remarked. "We trust in him because he is a really good goalie."
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who will serve as Saros's backup in Milan, praised his teammate's athleticism and dedication. "He's obviously super talented," Lankinen said. "He's not the biggest guy, but he's athletic." Lankinen also challenged the redemption storyline, describing the Olympics as "a clean slate for all of us."
Finland's Olympic Schedule and Gold Medal Aspirations
Following their opening match against Slovakia, Team Finland will continue Group B play with a highly anticipated clash against Sweden on Thursday at 6:10 a.m. ET. They will conclude the group stage against Italy on Saturday at 10:40 a.m. ET. The gold medal game is scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2026, where Finland aims to defend their championship and secure consecutive Olympic victories.
This Olympic tournament represents a pivotal moment for Juuse Saros to transcend his NHL struggles and reaffirm his status as one of hockey's premier goaltenders on the world's biggest stage.
