Nashville Predators News

Saros has not needed to be spectacular lately, but the Predators will need him at his best on Monday in a pivotal match-up against the Los Angeles Kings that could determine the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The 30-year-old Saros allowed three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%) in his previous outing, a 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has allowed three or more goals in 10 of his last 12 games (7-3-2), posting a 2.95 GAA and .901 SV%. The Predators enter Monday's contest as +121 road underdogs against a Kings team they defeated 5-4 in a shootout last week.

With Nicolas Hague (undisclosed) unlikely to play on Monday, the Predators have recalled Oesterle from Milwaukee (AHL). The 33-year-old Oesterle has spent the entire season in the AHL, but is no stranger to the NHL, with 96 points (23G / 73A) in 408 career games.

Saros has not needed to be spectacular lately, but the Predators will need him at his best on Monday in a pivotal match-up against the Los Angeles Kings that could determine the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. The 30-year-old Saros allowed three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%) in his previous outing, a 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has allowed three or more goals in 10 of his last 12 games (7-3-2), posting a 2.95 GAA and .901 SV%. The Predators enter Monday's contest as +121 road underdogs against a Kings team they defeated 5-4 in a shootout last week.

Hague was limited to only 2:34 time-on-ice in Nashville's previous game due to an undisclosed injury, and his status is uncertain for Monday's game against the Los Angeles Kings. The 27-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:38 time-on-ice and has 15 points (3G / 12A) in 62 games.

A light schedule for the Predators has afforded Saros with five days off since his last outing, so he should be well rested on Thursday in a crucial battle against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie has been far from stellar this season, but was solid in March, posting a serviceable 2.85 GAA and .907 SV% in nine games (5-3-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as -118 home favourites against a Kings team that has scored two or fewer goals in four of their last six games (2-2-2).

A light schedule for the Predators has afforded Saros with five days off since his last outing, so he should be well rested on Thursday in a crucial battle against the Los Angeles Kings. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie has been far from stellar this season, but was solid in March, posting a serviceable 2.85 GAA and .907 SV% in nine games (5-3-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as -118 home favourites against a Kings team that has scored two or fewer goals in four of their last six games (2-2-2).

Wiesblatt will slot back into the lineup on Thursday in place of Joakim Kemell. Wiesblatt has one goal and four assists in 38 games this season.

Kemell will be the odd-man out when the Predators host the Devils on Thursday. Ozzy Wiesblatt will dress in his place.

While Juuse Saros was out with a lower-body injury for several games last week, Annunen shone for the Predators and proved himself to be a reliable option between the pipes. The 26-year-old Annunen saved 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, giving him a stellar 2.34 GAA and .921 SV% in 15 appearances since the beginning of December (7-5-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as slight -107 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (4-2-0).

While Juuse Saros was out with a lower-body injury for several games last week, Annunen shone for the Predators and proved himself to be a reliable option between the pipes. The 26-year-old Annunen saved 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, giving him a stellar 2.34 GAA and .921 SV% in 15 appearances since the beginning of December (7-5-1). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as slight -107 home favourites against a New Jersey Devils team that has scored four or more goals in five of their last six games (4-2-0).

Saros was solid on Sunday, returning from a two-game absence due to a lower-body injury, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The 30-year-old Finnish goalie had a largely disappointing season, but has played better since returning from the Olympic break, posting a 2.70 GAA and .909 SV% in eight games (4-2-2). The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as -140 home favourites against a struggling San Jose Sharks team that has been outscored 21-8 during a four-game losing streak (0-4-0).

Svechkov, currently in his second NHL season, was the 19th-overall pick of the Predators in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 22-year-old forward is averaging 11:56 time-on-ice and has 13 points (3G / 10A) in 58 games this season.