Dan Ellis will start in goal for the Predators when they take on Dallas in tonight?s regular-season opener.
Preds coach Barry Trotz said he made his decision based on Ellis? better preseason and the fact that Ellis has had a good track record against Dallas. He told the goalies that he planned to take things one game at a time in regards to his starting keeper.
Ellis started just five of the Preds? last 35 games last season and he wound up with an 11-19-4 overall record in 2008-09.
But he had a better preseason than incumbent starter Pekka Rinne, posting a 3-0 record, 1.59 goals against average and .944 save percentage.
Rinne was 0-2 during the preseason, with a 3.97 goals against average and .800 save percentage. But he had a great rookie season in 2008-09, going 29-15-4 and finishing fourth in the league?s rookie of the year voting.
Ellis has a good history against the Stars, his former organization. In seven previous appearances against Dallas, he has a 4-3 record, two shutouts and a 2.11 goals against average.
Preds coach Barry Trotz said he made his decision based on Ellis? better preseason and the fact that Ellis has had a good track record against Dallas. He told the goalies that he planned to take things one game at a time in regards to his starting keeper.
Ellis started just five of the Preds? last 35 games last season and he wound up with an 11-19-4 overall record in 2008-09.
But he had a better preseason than incumbent starter Pekka Rinne, posting a 3-0 record, 1.59 goals against average and .944 save percentage.
Rinne was 0-2 during the preseason, with a 3.97 goals against average and .800 save percentage. But he had a great rookie season in 2008-09, going 29-15-4 and finishing fourth in the league?s rookie of the year voting.
Ellis has a good history against the Stars, his former organization. In seven previous appearances against Dallas, he has a 4-3 record, two shutouts and a 2.11 goals against average.
