Nashville Predators News

Annunen stopped 25 of 26 shots in the Predators win over the Kraken on Thursday. With Juuse Saros stilled day-to-day, Annunen will make his second consecutive start. Annunen hasn't played much, but he's been really good when called upon since the beginning of February, going 3-3-0 with a 2.19 GAA and .919 SV%.

Saros did not dress in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. That said, he was back at practice on Friday, but did not stay for the entirety of it. Predators' Head Coach Andrew Brunette indicated he was unsure who will be tending the twine when the team returns to the ice on Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Juuse Saros (upper-body) is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Kraken, so the Preds recalled Murray to serve as Justus Annunen's backup. Murray is yet to appear in an NHL game this season. He owns a 17-17-2 record and a .908 SV% across 37 AHL starts.

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.