Nashville Predators News

Bourque played only 8:15 of ice time in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens before leaving the game with an upper-body injury. The 24-year-old Bourque has played a meaningful middle-six role for the Predators this season and has one assist in four games.

Saros has carried a heavy workload for the Predators in recent seasons, a trend that will continue into 2026-27, as he will tend the twine for the fourth straight time on Thursday. Despite Head Coach Andrew Brunette's trust, Saros is coming off his weakest outing of the season, allowing five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old Finnish goalie has a 2.95 GAA and .907 SV% through three games (1-1-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as +141 road underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens team that is 1-1-1 this season.

Saros has carried a heavy workload for the Predators in recent seasons, a trend that will continue into 2026-27, as he will tend the twine for the fourth straight time on Thursday. Despite Head Coach Andrew Brunette's trust, Saros is coming off his weakest outing of the season, allowing five goals on 37 shots (.865 SV%) in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old Finnish goalie has a 2.95 GAA and .907 SV% through three games (1-1-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as +141 road underdogs against a Montreal Canadiens team that is 1-1-1 this season.

Adam Engstrom will make his season debut on Thursday against the Nashville Predators, sending Struble to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Struble played a career high 59 games last season, averaging 14:01 time-on-ice and scoring 12 points (2G / 10A).

Having not played since Saturday, the Predators were likely always turning to Saros to tend the twine on Tuesday, but Justus Annunen (undisclosed) surfacing on Injured Reserve sealed the deal. The 31-year-old Saros has had a solid start to the 2026-27 season, posting a 2.03 GAA and .933 SV% in two outings (1-1-0). He played exceptionally well in his previous game, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Dallas Stars. The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as +134 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team that has scored just six goals through three games this season (1-2-0).

Murray was recalled from Milwaukee (AHL) on Saturday to replace an injured Justus Annunen (undisclosed) as Juuse Saros' backup. Annunen returned to practice on Monday and, as a result, Murray was sent back to the AHL. That said, Annunen's injury appears to have resurfaced, resulting in Murray being recalled again. Expect Saros to see the majority of the action while Annunen is sidelined.

Annunen did not dress on Saturday due to an undisclosed injury, but he returned to practice on Monday. That said, the injury appears to have resurfaced, as he was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday morning. The Predators recalled Matthew Murray from Milwaukee (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Annunen did not dress in Saturday's game due to an undisclosed injury, but he returned to practice on Monday. The 26-year-old Annunen had a successful 2025-26 season as Jusse Saros' backup, posting a solid 2.68 GAA and .906 SV% in 28 appearances (10-12-2).