With Charlie McAvoy returning from an undisclosed injury, Oesterle will be sidelined as a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Oesterle is averaging 17:34 time-on-ice and has five points (0G / 5A) in 21 games this season.
The Predators are coming off a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks when Saros allowed five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%), but he will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old Saros has allowed three or more goals in seven of his last 11 appearances (4-5-1), posting an ugly .865 SV%. The Predators enter Wednesday's contest as -146 home favorites against a Canucks squad on a two-game winning streak.
The Predators are coming off a disappointing 5-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks when Saros allowed five goals on 35 shots (.857 SV%), but he will likely return to the crease on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old Saros has allowed three or more goals in seven of his last 11 appearances (4-5-1), posting an ugly .865 SV%. The Predators enter Wednesday's contest as -146 home favorites against a Canucks squad on a two-game winning streak.
Gravel has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL but played three games with the Predators earlier this season, recording one point (0G / 1A). He has 12 points (3G / 9A) in 35 games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) this season.
Stastney was a fifth-round pick of the Predators in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old defenseman played 20 games with the Predators last season, scoring four points (2G / 2A). He has split time between the NHL and AHL this season and has three points (1G / 2A) in 10 games with Milwaukee (AHL).
The Predators will somewhat surprisingly stick with Annunen between the pipes on Thursday. Annunen relieved Juuse Saros at home against the Sharks on Tuesday and guided them to a come from behind victory, allowing just one goal on 16 shots. Annunen has arguably outplayed Saros since being acquired from the Avalanche, posting a 5-2-0 record and a .924 SV% across eight appearances. He's a good bet to stay in the win column on Thursday as the Predators enter action at -225 on the money line.
Oesterle will take a seat on Thursday as the Bruins look to get some fresh legs into the lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Michael Callahan will draw into the lineup in his place.
Smith has been sidelined since December 21st with a lower-body injury he suffered while blocking a shot. He'll replace Mark Jankowski, who is out week-to-week, on the Nashville fourth line.
The Predators are riding a three-game winning streak and will likely roll with Saros between the pipes on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. Saros was stellar in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. The 29-year-old netminder has a 2.72 GAA and .904 SV% in 35 games this season (11-18-6). The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as humungous -372 home favorites against a Sharks squad outscored 14-5 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
The Predators are riding a three-game winning streak and will likely roll with Saros between the pipes on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks. Saros was stellar in his most recent outing, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. The 29-year-old netminder has a 2.72 GAA and .904 SV% in 35 games this season (11-18-6). The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as humungous -372 home favorites against a Sharks squad outscored 14-5 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
Smith has not played since December 21st, missing 11 straight games, but is nearing a return to the lineup. The 29-year-old Smith was averaging 13:03 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 34 games before his injury.
Smith has not played since December 21st, missing 11 straight games, but is nearing a return to the lineup. The 29-year-old Smith was averaging 13:03 time-on-ice and has five points (2G / 3A) in 34 games before his injury.
