NHL Playoffs: Pekka Rinne Set To Drown the Anaheim Ducks in Game 2

In the betting world, the term "square" refers to an average bettor who consistently loses money over time.

They are often taking the favorites and chasing their losses. Instead of betting the number, they bet the teams. I could go on and on, but what is relevant here is that most "squares" bet on the Anaheim Ducks this series. 

It's not hard to figure out why: The media were basically writing the equivalent of love poems about Corey Perry every other day, fans are busy debating if he should win the Hart trophy and there is a Spanish inquisition for Teemu Selanne's real age.

Woe be them for overlooking the true MVP of the regular season: Pekka Rinne. Right now, Game 2 odds have Nashville as 2.30 on the money line—quite a nice price if you ask me.

Whether or not Anaheim will ultimately prevail in this series is still to be determined, but one thing is sure right now—no squares placed an order for a Rinne jersey today. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if they pull out their voodoo dolls and stencil Rinne on the back.

After watching Game 1 of this series, it would be hard to blame them. 

With a 1-0 lead in the first period, Pekka Rinne kicked out his pad on a cross-ice pass to absolutely rob Teemu Selanne.

That was pretty much game, set, match.

That save proved vital as the Predators soon made it 2-0, then 3-0. With the ice still wet, Nashville made it 4-0 in the first minute of the third period. Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan were invisible for most of the night. 

How is this possible? Some will point to the big studs on defense. Ryan Suter and Shea Weber are the best defensive pairing in the NHL today and it seemed like they were on the ice every second shift on Wednesday night.

Others will point to the five-man box that the Predators play. Every player plays within the system and they execute it to a tee. All five players on the ice are within the frame of the television screen at all times. They play triangle hockey which always leaves their teammate with an option. If one player gets beaten, there is another ready to pounce in for support.

Country music fans might credit their new adopted son Mike Fisher as the reason to the Predators success. He came through with a huge performance and potted two goals in game one.

That will no doubt make Carrie Underwood happy. Do you think she still cares that her music is banned from Ottawa airwaves?

Offensive role players such as Sergei Kostisyn, Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist and Steve Sullivan all pitched in with timely efforts. None of them is about to light the scoring sheet on fire, but together they are an opportunistic bunch.

Collectively, these are all good reasons why Nashville has Anaheim on the ropes heading into Game 2, but panic is already setting in with the Ducks players because of Pekka Rinne.

Despite what others will tell you, I'm here to say that Pekka Rinne is the best goaltender in the NHL, bar none.

Roberto Luongo, Tim Thomas, Ryan Miller, Henrik Lundqvist and Carey Price, I salute you.

However, if I had to pick one goalie in the league to start my team with I would take Pekka Rinne and I wouldn't give it a second thought. The only thing more impressive than his skill set is his work ethic. He is never satisfied with the status quo and is always looking for ways to improve.

Unfortunately for Anaheim, they are privileged to have Nashville Predators castoff and Twitter extraordinaire Dan Ellis. He wanted to come out and make a statement that they traded the wrong guy, but everyone in the arena and watching on television know this isn't the case.

The goaltending mismatch was so egregious that it almost seemed unfair.

Going into Game 2, the Anaheim Ducks need to score the first goal or there is going to be serious trouble on the horizon. You just don't give Pekka Rinne a lead and expect to win the game. 

If Game 1 was any indication, this series could be over in a hurry. Nashville have been unstoppable at home down the stretch, they have the better coach and most importantly, the better goaltender.

In other words, Game 2 is do-or-die for Anaheim—going to Nashville down 0-2 just isn't an option.  

The only obstacle? Finding a solution for the best goalie the world has to offer.

Good luck!