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.
Jankowski was limited to only 1:16 time-on-ice before exiting Saturday's 6-2 win over the Minnesota Wild due to an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old Jankowski is averaging 12:44 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 37 games this season.
Jankowski was limited to only 1:16 time-on-ice before exiting Saturday's 6-2 win over the Minnesota Wild due to an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old Jankowski is averaging 12:44 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 37 games this season.
The Predators snapped a two-game losing skid on Tuesday with Justus Annunen between the pipes in a 5-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights but will return to Saros on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Saros struggled in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. The 29-year-old Saros has a 2.78 GAA and .903 SV% in 33 appearances this season (9-18-6). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -253 home favorites against a Blackhawks club amid a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
The Predators snapped a two-game losing skid on Tuesday with Justus Annunen between the pipes in a 5-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights but will return to Saros on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Saros struggled in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. The 29-year-old Saros has a 2.78 GAA and .903 SV% in 33 appearances this season (9-18-6). The Predators enter Thursday's contest as sizeable -253 home favorites against a Blackhawks club amid a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
Annunen will make just his sixth start as a Predator when Nashville hosts the Golden Knights on Tuesday. The 24-year-old netminder was excellent his last time out, allowing just a single goal on 32 shots in a 4-1 victory in Calgary. He boasts an impressive .930 SV% and a 3-2-0 record since being acquired from the Avalanche. He's e's got a good shot at staying in the win column on Tuesday as the Predators enter action at +110 on the money line.
Evangelista suffered a lower-body injury in the first period of Tuesday's loss to the Winnipeg Jets and will be out of the lineup for approximately four weeks. The 22-year-old Evangelisa is averaging 12:51 time-on-ice an has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 39 games this season.
Wilsby has not played since December 30th due to a lower-body injury, missing four consecutive games, and remains week-to-week. The 24-year-old Wilsby has played well in his first NHL season, averaging 18:43 time-on-ice and scoring three points (1G / 2A) in 15 games.
Stamkos exited Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets after only 9:30 time-on-ice due to an undisclosed injury. The 34-year-old Stamkos has 25 points (12G / 13A) in 41 games this season. An update will be provided on Stamkos before the Predators return to action on Saturday against the Washington Capitals.
