Analysis: No reason for Nashville Predators to play goalie Juuse Saros now even if he's healthy

A barely audible "Juuse" replaced the words "you see" during the national anthem before the Nashville Predators faced the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series Saturday at Bridgestone Arena.

Customary before most games, except All-Star goalie Juuse Saros wasn't in uniform for the home team, still sidelined with the lower-body injury that has caused his absence this series.

This series moved to 3-0 in favor of the Avalanche, thanks largely to their four power-play goals - not because of who was in net, which happened to be rookie Connor Ingram again in the 7-3 loss.  The Predators fell behind 3-0 in a series for the first time in franchise history.

Predators coach John Hynes said Sunday that Saros would not be available to play in Game 4 on Monday (8:30 p.m., ESPN, Bally Sports South). This a few days after he said he wouldn't rule out Saros' return when the series returned to Nashville.

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"He's skating but limited," Hynes said Sunday.

At this point, though, there wouldn't be much point in playing Saros, not with such a deficit staring the Predators in the face.

Not with how Ingram has played in his stead.

Not with the uncertainty that comes with returning from an injury. The risk outweighs the reward right now.

The Predators would be better off letting Saros fully heal and letting Ingram take them where he may this round. He already has seemingly locked up the backup role for next season.

David Rittich, who started Game 1, has a 19.91 goals-against average and .615 save percentage, his numbers after he allowed five goals on 13 shots and was pulled during the first period of Game 1.

Ingram wasn't the reason the Predators lost Saturday. He was the only reason the Predators had a chance to win Game 2, a game that resulted in an overtime loss during which the 25-year-old sandwiched 49 saves between the two goals he allowed on the first and last shots of the game.

Saros was not wearing a cape as he glided on the ice Wednesday in Denver, after most of his teammates had finished practicing at Ball Arena.

His possible sooner-rather-than later return, in turn, wouldn’t guarantee anything.

Saros, alone, is capable of making spectacular saves. Saros, alone, cannot save the Predators.

Saros wore a baseball cap, a warmup suit and an occasional smile while he tested the lower-body injury last week. He may not be wearing goalie pads until next season, barring a miraculous comeback.

We may not see Juuse or hear "Juuse" in place of the anthem's "you see" till then.

Sure, having your All-Star goalie for the playoffs is ideal, but that wasn’t the hand the Predators were dealt.

Reach Paul Skrbina at pskrbina@tennessean.com and follow him on Twitter @PaulSkrbina.