Smith (upper-body) will not play in Game 6 vs. the Canucks.
Smith will not be available for the Predators' do-or-die Game 6 vs. the Canucks. He'll either be replaced by Juuso Pärssinen or Luke Schenn, if the Predators go with seven defensemen.
Nashville Predators News
Goalie Start
Saros led the Predators onto the ice for warmups for Game 6.
Saros stopped 19 of 20 shots in the Predators' Game 5 win in Vancouver. Through five games, Saros is 2-3 with a 2.21 GAA and .879 SV%. The Predators have done an outstanding job in front of Saros, allowing just 18.2 shots against per game and the lowest xGA/60 (2.27) in the postseason.
Goalie Start
Saros was in the starter's crease at the Predators' morning skate ahead of Game 6.
Saros stopped 19 of 20 shots in the Predators' Game 5 win in Vancouver. Through five games, Saros is 2-3 with a 2.21 GAA and .879 SV%. The Predators have done an outstanding job in front of Saros, allowing just 18.2 shots against per game and the lowest xGA/60 (2.27) in the postseason.
Schenn (illness) is considered day-to-day after missing Game 5.
Schenn missed Game 5 due to illness but practiced in full on Thursday and is considered day-to-day ahead of their matchup on Friday. The 34-year-old veteran has appeared in four games so far with Nashville in the playoffs but is without a point, and has four SOG while averaging 15:03 TOI.
Gravel has been recalled from Milwaukee (AHL).
With Nashville in need of some reinforcements with Luke Schenn still fighting an illness, Kevin Gravel has been recalled from Milwaukee (AHL) on Thursday. The 32-year-old last appeared in the NHL in 2022-23 and played in 23 games with Nashville, picking up an assist, 20 SOG and a -10 plus/minus.
Line Change
Schenn will draw out of the Predators' lineup on Tuesday.
Tyson Barrie will make his playoff debut in Schenn's place. It's unknown at this time if Schenn is dealing with an undisclosed injury or if he is simply a healthy scratch.
Line Change
Barrie will draw into the Predators' lineup for Game 5 on Tuesday.
With Nashville's season on the line, Barrie will make his playoff debut and his first appearance since March 28th. The British Columbia native had one goal and 14 assists in 41 games this season. Luke Schenn will draw out of the lineup in his place.
Goalie Start
Saros will start Game 5 in Vancouver on Tuesday.
The Predators will unsurprisingly turn to Saros with their season on the line on Tuesday as they look to claw back from a 3-1 series deficit. Saros had another disappointing performance in Game 4 on Sunday, allowing four goals on just 21 shots as the Canucks came back to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory in overtime. Saros' SV% on the series sits uncharacteristically low at .859, and he will no doubt need to do a lot better than that if the Predators are going to have any chance of getting back in this series.
Goalie Start
Saros will start Game 4 on Sunday vs. Vancouver.
Fabbro will draw back into the Predators' lineup for Game 4 on Sunday vs. Vancouver.
Stastney (upper body) will be out for Game 4 on Sunday vs. Vancouver.
Stastney is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Stastney left Game 3 with an upper-body injury and did not return.
Stastney logged 6:36 TOI before leaving Game 3 with an upper-body injury. If Stastney can't go in Game 4, the Predators have Tyson Barrie or Dante Fabbro ready to go into the lineup.
Goalie Start
Saros will start Game 3 against the Canucks on Friday.
Nashville will turn back to Saros for Game 3 on Friday at home after he impressed in Game 2 by stopping 17 of 18 shots (.944 SV%) in a road victory to even the series. The 29-year-old had yet another strong regular season this year with his 35-24-5 record, 2.86 GAA and .906 SV%. He will look to take a series lead on Friday as Nashville hosts Vancouver, who will look to get back to their scoring ways after finishing the regular season fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.4).
Goalie Start
Saros is expected to start Game 3 in Nashville on Friday.
Nashville will expectedly turn back to Saros for Game 3 on Friday at home after he impressed in Game 2 by stopping 17 of 18 shots (.944 SV%) in a road victory to even the series. The 29-year-old had yet another strong regular season this year with his 35-24-5 record, 2.86 GAA and .906 SV%. He will look to take a series lead on Friday as Nashville hosts Vancouver, who will look to get back to their scoring ways after finishing the regular season fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.4).
Parssinen has been recalled from Milwaukee (AHL) on Thursday.
Parssinen split the 2023-24 campaign between the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) and the Predators. In 44 games with Nashville this season, Parissinen scored 12 points (8G / 4A).
Goalie Start
Saros will start Game 2 on Tuesday in Vancouver.
Saros will unsurprisingly get the nod in goal on Tuesday as he and the Predators look to bounce back from a disappointing Game 1 defeat. Nashville's starting netminder allowed three goals on just 20 shots in Sunday's loss, as the Canucks added an empty netter to seal a 4-2 victory and take the early series lead. Saros and the Predators enter tonight as very slight underdogs at +105. They will be hoping to steal home-ice advantage from the Canucks and even up the series before heading back home for Game 3.
Goalie Start
Saros will start Game 1 in Vancouver.
Goalie Start
Saros will start in Pittsburgh on Monday.
The Predators play their final game of the season on Monday and will turn to Saros between the pipes. Saros has allowed four goals in two straight but saved 31 of 35 shots (.886 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 6-4 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Predators enter action as +100 road underdogs.
Anderson-Dolan is expected to be a healthy scratch on Monday in Pittsburgh.
Mark Jankowski and Jaret Anderson-Dolan will both be healthy scratches on Monday, allowing Colton Sissons and Cole Smith to re-enter the lineup. Anderson-Dolan has four points (1G / 3A) in 31 games this season.
