Nashville Predators News

Annunen has emerged as the most reliable option in the crease for the Avalanche but has allowed seven goals on 53 shots (.868 SV%) in his last two games (1-1-0) and will need a strong outing on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken to solidify his position. In seven appearances this season (4-2-0), the 24-year-old Annunen has a serviceable 2.58 GAA and .899 SV%, which are more impressive when considering the Avalanche allow a league-worst 4.25 goals per game. Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -175 home favorites against a Seattle club riding a three-game losing skid.

The Predators are still struggling to live up to expectations after a busy offseason but, after losing their first five, have started to find their footing, winning four of their last six (4-1-1). Saros will start for the fourth straight game after an impressive performance in his previous outing, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old Saros has a 2.92 GAA and .900 SV% in nine games this season (3-5-1). The Predators enter the action on Monday as -140 home favorites against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Predators are still struggling to live up to expectations after a busy offseason but, after losing their first five, have started to find their footing, winning four of their last six (4-1-1). Saros will likely start for the fourth straight game after an impressive performance in his previous outing, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old Saros has a 2.92 GAA and .900 SV% in nine games this season (3-5-1). The Predators enter the action on Monday as -140 home favorites against the Los Angeles Kings.

Barron played 10:52 in Thursday's loss in Washington and will come out of the lineup Saturday in Pittsburgh. Arber Xhekaj will draw back into the lineup to replace him.

Wiesblatt was the 31st overall pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old has not played an NHL game yet and has two points (0G / 2A) in six AHL games with the Milwaukee Admirals this season.

Del Gaizo will make just his fourth appearance of the season when the Oilers come to town on Thursday. Dante Fabbro will sit in his place.

The Predators will unsurprisingly turn to their franchise netminder when they welcome the Connor McDavid-less Oilers to Nashville on Thursday. Saros got stuck with the loss his last time out, allowing three goals on 27 shots in a 3-2 overtime defeat at the hands of the Lightning. The 10-year-veteran now owns a 2-4-1 record on the season along with a .905 SV%. Saros is a decent bet to get back in the win column tonight as Nashville enters action as slight favourites at -130.

Barron has not played since October 22nd, missing three games due to an upper-body injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday. In 7 games played this season, Barrron has a goal and six PIMs.

Englund will re-enter the lineup as the Kings opt to get some fresh bodies in for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Englund has one goal and no assists in four games this season.

With Kaapo Kahkonen making his Avalanche debut and Alexandar Georgiev backing up on Wednesday, Justus Annunen finds himself as the odd man out of Colorado's goaltending trio vs. Tampa Bay. Annunen has nothing to worry about after starting the season as Colorado's best goaltender with his 4-1-0 record, 2.48 GAA and .905 SV%. He is expected to be dressed for their next contest.

Del Gaizo has played three games with the Predators this season, splitting time with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 25-year-old has predominantly played in the AHL since being drafted in the fourth-round by the Predators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, including a 34 point campaign (8G / 26A) in 60 games with Milwaukee last season.

Barron has not played the last three games due to an upper-body injury but is nearing a return and will be traveling with the team. In 7 games played this season, Barrron has a goal and six PIMs.

Saros will be back between the pipes for the Predators on Monday after Scott Wedgewood got the nod in the tail-end of their back-to-back on Saturday. After a slow start, Saros is coming off his best two games of the season, going 2-0-0 with a .968 SV% and a shutout over his last two appearances. His strong performance of late has improved his SV% and GAA on the year to .908 and 2.74, respectively. He will need to be at his best again on Monday as the Predators enter action as +115 underdogs in Tampa Bay.

Del Gaizo has played three games with the Predators this season but will return to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL). The 25-year-old has predominantly played in the AHL since being drafted in the fourth-round by the Predators in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, including a 34 point campaign (8G / 26A) in 60 games with Milwaukee last season.

After serving as the backup while Colorado started their season with a 1-4-0 record, Annunen has started three straight, helping his team to a four-game winning streak. In his last three outings, Annunen has been extremely consistent, allowing four total goals, making 25 saves in each contest, posting a stellar .949 SV%. Colorado enters the action on Sunday as -167 home favorites against the Ottawa Senators.