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.
Annunen will get a surprise start on Thursday, as starter Juuse Saros is unavailable due to an upper-body injury. Annunen was unfortunate to take the loss in his last start, allowing two goals on 29 shots in a 3-1 loss in Edmonton on Sunday. The 25-year-old netminder owns a 6-9-2 record and an .888 SV% on the season. Annunen and the Predators enter action on Thursday at -135 on the money line.
L'Heureux didn't make his Predators' season debut until after the Olympic break, but has been a lineup regular since, ultimately earning himself a two-year contract extension. The 22-year-old forward is averaging 11:51 time-on-ice, recording one goal and 19 hits in 10 games.
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).
Despite scoring in Tuesday's win in Seattle, Kemell will be the odd-man out in Vancouver on Thursday. Ozzy Wiesblatt will dress in his place.
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.
Wiesblatt has been sidelined for a couple of games, but he will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Vancouver Canuks. The 24-year-old forward is averaging 10:16 time-on-ice and has five points (1G / 4A) in 33 games this season.
Rizzo made his professional debut in the AHL last season after spending three years playing collegiate hockey with the University of Denver. The 24-year-old forward has spent most of this season in the ECHL, where he has 22 points (6G / 16A) in 29 games with the Reading Royals.
Bancroft is an undrafted 25-year-old forward that made his professional debut in the AHL last season after spending three years playing collegiate hockey with Cornell University. He has two points (1G / 1A) in 34 games this season with the Providence Bruins (AHL).
Wiesblatt will take a seat on Tuesday in favour of Reid Schaefer. Wiesblatt has appeared in 33 games this season, scoring just one goal while picking up four assists.
Schaefer will immediately re-enter the lineup after sitting out Saturday's game in Buffalo. Ozzy Wiesblatt will sit in his place.
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.
Rizzo was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old Rizzo has never played an NHL game and has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the ECHL, where he has 22 points (6G / 16A) in 29 games with the Reading Royals.
The Predators recalled Kemell to fill the empty roster spot left by Michael Bunting's trade to Dallas. Kemell is expected to draw into the Preds lineup for Thursday's game against the Bruins.
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.
O'Reilly suffered a scary injury near his eye late in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but the team has indicated the worst-case scenario was avoided and that he will only be out day-to-day. The 35-year-old O'Reilly is having a resurgent 2025-26 season, with 59 points (22G / 37A) in 61 games. He has only reached the 70-point plateau once in his career and is pacing to do so again this season.
After trading defenseman Nick Blankenburg to Colorado, a spot has opened up on Nashville's blueline, resulting in Ufko being recalled from Milwaukee (AHL). The 22-year-old Ufko played one game with Nashville last season, his NHL debut, but has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he has 44 points (11G / 33A) in 50 games with Milwaukee.
