Prior to arguably Nashville's biggest game of the season, the team announced captian Roman Josi was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. The 35-year-old has had yet another successful season in 2025-26, with 13 goals and 54 points in 66 games played so far.
The Predators got an outstanding 43-save performance from Justus Annunen in their previous game, a 5-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks, but they will return to Saros tending the twine on Thursday against the Utah Mammoth. The 30-year-old Saros was solid in his most recent outing, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%), but did not receive enough goal support in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Saros has not needed to be spectacular in recent games, posting a pedestrian 2.89 GAA and .904 SV%, but still has a solid 5-1-1 record to show for it. The Predators enter Thursday's contest as +145 road underdogs against a Mammoth team that has scored six or more goals in four straight games (4-0-0).
Juuse Saros got the nod for the front-end of Nashville's back-to-back on Monday, so it will be Annunen between the pipes tonight when the Preds travel to Anaheim. Annunen was tagged with the loss in his last start, allowing three goals on 28 shots in a 3-2 loss in Tampa Bay back on March 29th. The 25-year-old netminder has appeared in 25 games this season, posting an 8-11-2 record and an .897 SV%. Annunen and the Predators enter action on Tuesday as slight underdogs at +125 on the money line.
Hague was limited to only 2:34 time-on-ice in Nashville's previous game due to an upper-body injury, and his status was uncertain for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Kings. The 27-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:38 time-on-ice and has 15 points (3G / 12A) in 62 games.
Saros has not needed to be spectacular lately, but the Predators will need him at his best on Monday in a pivotal match-up against the Los Angeles Kings that could determine the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The 30-year-old Saros allowed three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%) in his previous outing, a 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has allowed three or more goals in 10 of his last 12 games (7-3-2), posting a 2.95 GAA and .901 SV%. The Predators enter Monday's contest as +121 road underdogs against a Kings team they defeated 5-4 in a shootout last week.
With Nicolas Hague (undisclosed) unlikely to play on Monday, the Predators have recalled Oesterle from Milwaukee (AHL). The 33-year-old Oesterle has spent the entire season in the AHL, but is no stranger to the NHL, with 96 points (23G / 73A) in 408 career games.
Saros has not needed to be spectacular lately, but the Predators will need him at his best on Monday in a pivotal match-up against the Los Angeles Kings that could determine the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The 30-year-old Saros allowed three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%) in his previous outing, a 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has allowed three or more goals in 10 of his last 12 games (7-3-2), posting a 2.95 GAA and .901 SV%. The Predators enter Monday's contest as +121 road underdogs against a Kings team they defeated 5-4 in a shootout last week.
Hague was limited to only 2:34 time-on-ice in Nashville's previous game due to an undisclosed injury, and his status is uncertain for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Kings. The 27-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:38 time-on-ice and has 15 points (3G / 12A) in 62 games.
A light schedule for the Predators has afforded Saros with five days off since his last outing, so he should be well rested on Thursday in a crucial battle against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie has been far from stellar this season, but was solid in March, posting a serviceable 2.85 GAA and .907 SV% in nine games (5-3-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as -118 home favourites against a Kings team that has scored two or fewer goals in four of their last six games (2-2-2).
A light schedule for the Predators has afforded Saros with five days off since his last outing, so he should be well rested on Thursday in a crucial battle against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie has been far from stellar this season, but was solid in March, posting a serviceable 2.85 GAA and .907 SV% in nine games (5-3-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as -118 home favourites against a Kings team that has scored two or fewer goals in four of their last six games (2-2-2).
Wiesblatt will slot back into the lineup on Thursday in place of Joakim Kemell. Wiesblatt has one goal and four assists in 38 games this season.
Kemell will be the odd-man out when the Predators host the Devils on Thursday. Ozzy Wiesblatt will dress in his place.
While Juuse Saros was out with a lower-body injury for several games last week, Annunen shone for the Predators and proved himself to be a reliable option between the pipes. The 26-year-old Annunen saved 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, giving him a stellar 2.34 GAA and .921 SV% in 15 appearances since the beginning of December (7-5-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as slight -107 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (4-2-0).
While Juuse Saros was out with a lower-body injury for several games last week, Annunen shone for the Predators and proved himself to be a reliable option between the pipes. The 26-year-old Annunen saved 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, giving him a stellar 2.34 GAA and .921 SV% in 15 appearances since the beginning of December (7-5-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as slight -107 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (4-2-0).
