The undrafted Kevin Lankinen has only known two NHL teams, the Chicago Blackhawks and the Nashville Predators. The Blackhawks were the team that signed him to his first and second contract before he left after 69 games across two seasons in the NHL.
He found his way to Nashville, and after a successful first season with the team, signed another one-year deal. Despite being in the same division as the Blackhawks, Lankinen didn't face his former team once last season. That changed in 2023-24 as he has gotten the call twice against the 31st ranked Blackhawks.
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While it isn't an amazing accomplishment to get two wins in two starts against a team of this caliber this season, a win in the NHL is never a guarantee and it's great to see Lankinen still having success.
Starts are not easy to come by in Nashville with Juuse Saros starting most games. That being said, Lankinen has started 17 games and gone 11-6-0 with a 2.83 GAA, .908 SV%, and one shutout.
Lankinen got the call against the Blackhawks on Nov. 11 and stopped 29 of 31 shots for a .935 SV%. Months later, he started his second game against his former team in Game 80 of the season, stopping 25 of 26 shots for a .962 SV%. To add insult to injury, the Predators goalie also added a power-play assist.
The playing future of Lankinen remains to be seen, but for now, he has done the job asked of him in Nashville and winning against a former team is always a good feeling, especially in his return to Chicago. His first win against the team came at home in Nashville.
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