After three consecutive seasons finishing in the top five in Vezina Trophy voting, Juuse Saros has strung together consecutive disappointing seasons, ending with a sub-900 SV% for the first time in his career. The 31-year-old finishing goalie hopes to return to form in 2026-27 as he opens the season for the Predators between the pipes against the Minnesota Wild. Nashville enters the action as +125 home underdogs.
The Predators will turn to Saros between the pipes for the 59th time this season when they host the Ducks in their regular season finale on Thursday. Nashville's long-time number-one netminder ceded playing time to the red-hot Justus Annunen down the stretch, serving as the back-up in each of the team's last two games. Saros brings a 28-21-8 record and an .894 SV% into Thursday night's finale, where the Preds enter action at +105 on the money line.
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).
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.
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.
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).
Saros was solid on Sunday, returning from a two-game absence due to a lower-body injury, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie had a largely disappointing season, but has played better since returning from the Olympic break, posting a 2.70 GAA and .909 SV% in eight games (4-2-2). The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as -140 home favourites against a struggling San Jose Sharks team that has been outscored 21-8 during a four-game losing streak (0-4-0).
Saros did not dress in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. That said, he was back at practice on Friday, but did not stay for the entirety of it. Predators' Head Coach Andrew Brunette indicated he was unsure who will be tending the twine when the team returns to the ice on Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Saros was originally the projected starter for Thursday's game against the Kraken, but is ultimately unavailable due to an upper-body injury. He is considered day-to-day. Justus Annunen will get the start on Thursday while Matt Murray serves as his backup.
The Predators have lost three of their last four (1-2-1), but remain within reach of a Wild Card spot, and will be desperate for a win on Tuesday, turning to Saros against the Winnipeg Jets. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie hasn't had the best 2025-26 season, but he's been consistent, albeit not spectacular, since returning from the Olympic break, allowing three or fewer goals in six games (2-2-2), posting a 2.81 GAA and .902 SV%. The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as +115 road underdogs against a Jets team that has scored three or fewer goals in five consecutive games (3-2-0).
The Predators will hand Saros his 50th start of the campaign when they travel to Vancouver to take on the Canucks on Thursday. Saros was outstanding in his last start, turning away 43 of the 45 shots he faced in a 4-2 win in Seattle on Tuesday. Nashville's franchise netminder carries a 23-19-6 record and an .893 SV% into Thursday night's game, where the Preds enter action at -165 on the money line.
Saros will make his 49th start of the season when the Predators travel to Seattle on Tuesday. Saros was tagged with the loss in his last outing, allowing three goals on 24 shots in a 3-2 loss in Buffalo on Saturday. Nashville's franchise netminder brings a 22-19-6 record and an .891 SV% into Tuesday night's matchup, where the Preds enter action at -105 on the money line.
Nashville's franchise netminder will make his 47th start of the season when the Predators travel to Boston on Thursday. Saros suffered a third consecutive defeat in his last outing, allowing three goals on 30 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Red Wings on Monday. Saros carries a 21-18-6 record and an .892 SV% into Thursday night's matchup, where the Preds enter action at -110 on the money line.
Saros played well in his previous outing, but was the victim of a defensive team breakdown in overtime, ultimately allowing the third goal on his 25th shot (.880 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie was tremendous while representing his country at the Olympics, but he has not seen that same success at the NHL level this season. He has an ugly 4.53 GAA and .861 SV% in his last eight appearances (2-2-3). The Predators enter Monday's contest as slight -107 home favourites against the Detroit Red Wings.
