With Ivan Prosvetov (undisclosed) unavailable, Annunen will get the chance to serve as Alexandar Georgiev's backup. Annunen has two NHL appearances under his belt this season, posting an .854 SV% and a 3.58 GAA.
Murray returned to backing up Scott Wedgewood on Wednesday after recording a shutout on Monday in his season debut against the Minnesota Wild. Murray has been involved in paper transactions daily since being recalled from the Texas Stars (AHL) after Jake Oettinger was injured as part of salary cap gymnastics. It is unclear if Murray's most recent demotion is permanent or if he will be recalled again ahead of their next contest as Oettinger nears his return.
Saros will return to the Predators' crease on Tuesday after getting Saturday night's game in Dallas off in favour of backup Kevin Lankinen. Saros took the loss his last time out, allowing five goals on 25 shots in a 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames. He's endured an up-and-down season to date, posting a .901 SV% to go along with his 16-14-1 record, but he's got a great chance of getting back in the win column on Tuesday with the Predators being sizable home favourites at -225 over the Ducks.
After playing in 12 straight games, and struggling lately, Scott Wedgewood will finally get a night off on Monday as Murray will tend the twice for the Stars in his first game of the season. Murray has been with the team since mid-December when Jake Oettinger suffered a lower-body injury. The undrafted 25-year-old Murray has a 2.86 GAA and .908 SV% in 13 games (8-4-1) with the Texas Stars this season. The Stars have lost three straight (0-2-1), being outscored 13-10, but are -127 road favourites against a Minnesota Wild club without their leading scorer, Kirill Kaprizov.
Saros will return to the crease on Thursday after recording his second shutout of the season in his previous outing. Saros saved all 21 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, snapping his three-game losing streak (0-2-1) that saw him allow 13 goals and post an uncharacteristically low .829 SV%. The Predators will search for their third straight victory as -114 home favourites against a Calgary Flames club that has won two straight.
Linus Karlsson is expected to re-enter the Canucks lineup on Thursday as Hoglander will be a healthy scratch for the first time in nearly two months. Hoglander has zero points in his last four games, firing only three shots on goal in the process.
Saros will return to the crease on Thursday after recording his second shutout of the season in his previous outing. Saros saved all 21 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, snapping his three-game losing streak (0-2-1) that saw him allow 13 goals and post an uncharacteristically low .829 SV%. The Predators will search for their third straight victory as -114 home favourites against a Calgary Flames club that has won two straight.
Hoglander has only one point (1G / 0A) in his last seven games and was a game-time decision on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators as he deals with an undisclosed injury. He'll skate alongside Pius Suter and Sam Lafferty on Vancouver's fourth line.
Despite a 3-2 win in their last outing courtesy of Yaroslav Askarov between the pipes, the Predators will turn back to Saros, who has lost three straight outings. Saros has allowed 13 goals over his last three games (0-3-0), posting a .829 SV% after an eight-game stretch (7-1-0) where he was nearly unbeatable, posting a stellar .936 SV%. That said, the Predators are significant -273 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that was destroyed by an 8-1 margin against the Dallas Stars on Sunday.
Hoglander has only one point (1G / 0A) in his last seven games and will be a game-time decision on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators as he deals with an undisclosed injury. He spent most of the season playing on a line with J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser.
Colton has been out of the lineup since blocking a shot in the third period on December 27th, exiting the game after playing only 11:16 time-on-ice. Before leaving the game, Colton recorded four hits and extended his point streak to two games with an assist. He has been a game-time decision in each game since his injury.
Despite a 3-2 win in their last outing courtesy of Yaroslav Askarov between the pipes, the Predators will likely turn back to Saros, who has lost three straight outings. Saros has allowed 13 goals over his last three games (0-3-0), posting a .829 SV% after an eight-game stretch (7-1-0) where he was nearly unbeatable, posting a stellar .936 SV%. That said, the Predators are significant -273 home favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team that was destroyed by an 8-1 margin against the Dallas Stars on Sunday.
Colton blocked a shot in the third period of Wednesday's game and exited after playing only 11:16 time-on-ice with an undisclosed injury. Before leaving the game, Colton recorded four hits and extended his point streak to two games with an assist. He was considered a game-time decision for Friday's game in St. Louis.
