This is another huge blow to the Predators' blueline, who will now be without three of their top-4 defensemen on Thursday. Fabbro will miss Thursday and Saturday's games before being eligible to return Monday in Tampa Bay.
Merzlikins has been out since February 20th with an upper-body injury but was activated from IR on Monday, so he'll at least be available to backup on Tuesday.
Gambrell missed one game with a concussion because a few got cancelled due to COVID-19 protocol but he's expected to be back Saturday vs. the Blues. Gambrell would replace Tomas Hertl, who is the one on the COVID-19 list. He has just two assists in 13 games this season.
Werenski has not played since February 13th but will replace Scott Harrington in the lineup on Thursday. Werenski had a slow start to the season but had four assists in his last six games before getting injured.
Gambrell entered concussion protocol during Saturday's game in St. Louis following a hit from Kyle Clifford. With Gambrell out on Monday, Marcus Sorensen will draw back into the lineup.
Monahan has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but was back on a line with Johnny Gaudreau at the Flames morning skate, suggesting he could play in Toronto. Monahan has had a nice bounce-back season, scoring two goals with 10 assists (12 points) in 16 games.
Kukan played 13:49 TOI and was a minus-3 in the Blue Jackets' loss in Carolina on Monday. Kukan will be a healthy scratch for the third time in four games and Scott Harrington will replace him on the blueline.
Werenski returned to the lineup on Saturday but is not 100 percent, so he'll come out of the lineup Monday in Carolina. With Werenski sidelined, Dean Kukan will draw back in. Consider Werenski day-to-day.
Werenski has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but will be back on the top pair with Seth Jones and top PP unit on Saturday. Werenski has had a slow start to the season, scoring one goal with three assists in his first 12 games.
