Nashville Predators News

Saros had a rough performance in his previous outing, allowing five goals on 21 shots (.762 SV%) before being replaced by Justus Annunen in the second period of a game that Nashville rallied back into with a 6-5 victory. The 30-year-old Saros has improved after a miserable 2024-25 season, but is currently battling through a rough stretch, allowing three or more goals in eight consecutive games (5-2-1), posting an ugly 4.10 GAA and .877 SV%. The Predators enter Wednesday's contest as +106 home underdogs against the Minnesota Wild, who hold the best record in the NHL since the beginning of November (30-8-7).

Alex Petrovic will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Lyubushkin to re-enter the lineup against the St. Louis Blues. The 31-year-old Lyubushkin is averaging 16:10 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 54 hits, and 67 blocks in 39 games this season.

Schaefer made his NHL debut earlier this season, tallying six points (4G / 2A) in 25 games with the Predators, but has spent the past three weeks in the AHL. The 22-year-old, a first-round pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 21 games with Milwaukee (AHL) this season.

Saros will make his league-leading 43rd start of the campaign when the Predators host the Blues on Monday. Nashville's franchise netminder secured the victory in his last start, stopping 27 of the 30 shots he faced in an overtime win on Long Island on Saturday. Saros brings a 21-17-4 record and an .895 SV% into Monday night's matchup, where the Preds enter action at -140 on the money line.

Annunen was solid in his previous outing, saving all 13 shots he faced in relief of Juuse Saros in a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year-old Annunen has seen limited action in recent weeks, but has been mostly serviceable when called upon, posting a 2.61 GAA and .912 SV% in seven appearances (3-2-0). The Predators enter the action on Thursday as +112 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team on a two-game losing streak (0-2-0).

Colton has not played in over a week because of a lower-body injury, but will draw back into the lineup on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 29-year-old Colton has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 48 games this season. Taylor Makar will exit the lineup to accommodate Colton's return.

Hoglander has been a regular in Vancouver's lineup for the past few weeks, but was absent from practice on Wednesday because of an upper-body injury and will not play on Thursday. The 25-year-old Swedish forward has two assists in 18 games this season.

Hoglander has been a regular in Vancouver's lineup for the past few weeks, but was absent from practice on Wednesday because of an upper-body injury as he gets evaluated further. The 25-year-old Swedish forward has two assists in 18 games this season.

Saros will make his league-leading 41st start of the season when the Predators travel to Boston on Tuesday. Nashville's workhorse netminder suffered defeat against a red-hot Mammoth team in his last start, allowing four goals on 30 shots in Saturday's 5-2 loss. Saros brings a 20-17-3- record and an .895 SV% into Tuesday night's matchup, where the Preds enter action at -105 on the money line.

Lyubushkin exited Friday's 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues in the second period because of an undisclosed injury and will not play on Tuesday. The 31-year-old defenseman is averaging 16:10 time-on-ice and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 39 games this season. Kyle Capobianco will draw into the lineup as Lybushkin's replacement.

Colton left Colorado's game vs. Anaheim on Wednesday with a lower-body injury and will remain out vs. Philadelphia on Friday. The 29-year-old is considered day-to-day for the time being and will have to wait to add to his five goals and 20 points in 48 games played on the season until Sunday, when Colorado takes on Toronto.

Saros had a forgetful night on Tuesday, allowing four goals on 19 shots (.789 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres, and will return to the crease on Thursday, hoping to redeem himself against the Ottawa Senators. Before Tuesday's loss, the 30-year-old Saros had strung together a stretch of solid outings, posting a 2.34 GAA and .928 SV% in his previous four (3-1-0). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as +103 home underdogs against a Senators team that has collected points in five straight games (3-0-2).

Ahcan has played six games with the Avalanche this season, matching a career-high, and has one assist. The 28-year-old defenseman has spent most of his career in the AHL, including scoring an impressive 24 points (5G / 19A) through 29 games with the Colorado Eagles this season.