Five Quick Questions with Kevin Lankinen

Goaltender Kevin Lankinen took a minute before the All Star break to answer five quick questions about his season, his downtime, and his favorite hockey memory. 

What is one word to describe your season so far? 

This is a question that gave some players pause, but the 28-year-old Helsinki native had no trouble coming up with one word.

"Winning."

It hasn't been an easy season in net for the Predators. With a new system, changing defensive pairings, and Juuse Saros struggling at times, Lankinen has been reliable for the Predators in net and in relief. He's played 14 games, and while his stats may not jump off the page, the starts that Andrew Brunette has trusted him with are impressive. In his ten starts, Lankinen has faced all but one playoff contending team. 

What is something you do every game day?

Like many of his teammates, Lankinen is sure to get a nap in on game days. 

If there was a rule you could change or clarify, what would it be and why?

"I would probably get rid of the trapezoid behind the net," Lankinen said. "That's probably the one."

Surprised he didn't mention anything about what feels like the most nebulous rule — goaltender interference — I asked Lankinen if he fully understands when goalie interference is and isn't called. 

"That's a tricky one," Lankinen said. ""Sometimes you're in no man's land for a little bit. Maybe they could do a better job just clarifying, like setting up a couple examples."

"At the end of the day, it's hockey and things happen fast and refs are just doing their best," he said. "So I'm never gonna go after a ref for anything."

For Lankinen, his focus is on what he needs to do and not what is happening around him. 

"My job is to stop the puck and keep it out of the net."