Blankenburg has been out since December 19th but will return to the ice in the AHL. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jackets recalled David Jiriceck from Cleveland.
Annunen made his season debut on Tuesday, allowing Alexandar Georgiev to have a long overdue night off, saving 36 of 40 shots (.900 SV%) in a 7-4 win over the Ottawa Senators. Annunen will return to the Colorado Eagles of the AHL, where he has a 2.62 GAA and .908 SV% in 18 games (9-5-4).
McCarron will be the odd-man out on Thursday as Cody Glass will draw back into the Predators' lineup. McCarron has six goals and five assists in 34 games this season.
Saros will make his 35th start of the season on Thursday as the Predators travel to Los Angeles to take on the Kings. Saros took the loss his last time out, allowing three goals on 28 shots as the Predators fell to the Golden Knights by a score of 4-1. It was another dip in performance in what's been uncharacteristically up-and-down season for Nashville's number-one netminder. Saros owns a 17-16-1 record on the season to go along with a .900 SV% and a 3.02 GAA. He and the Preds are slight underdogs in Los Angeles on Thursday at +125.
Johnathan Kovacevic will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Barron to re-enter the lineup. Barron has sat out the last two games for the Canadiens but has been a lineup regular for most of the season, scoring 12 points (6G / 6A) and registering 51 blocks in 38 games.
Potentially a paper transaction as the Stars do not play until Thursday, Murray has been loaned back to the Texas Stars (AHL). Scott Wedgewood's return appears to be on the horizon, but if he can't suit up as the Stars' backup on Thursday, expect Murray to be recalled ahead of their game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Annunen will make his first start of the season on Tuesday as the Avalanche prepare to play their second game in as many nights. Annunen has struggled in his four NHL appearances to date, though he has managed to post a 2-1-1 record despite an .859 SV% and a 3.92 GAA. He owns a 9-5-4 record and a .908 SV% in 18 games this season with the Colorado Eagles (AHL). He'll take on the Senators and Mads Sogaard, who is also making his season debut in goal on Tuesday.
After a sizeable stint with the Dallas Stars, Murray was sent down to Texas (AHL) as Jake Oettinger (lower-body) finally made his return to the lineup, only to be recalled once again as Scott Wedgewood was injured in his previous outing. Murray played one game with Dallas, an impressive 23-save shutout victory over the Minnesota Wild less than two weeks ago.
With Ivan Prosvetov (undisclosed) unavailable, Annunen will get the chance to serve as Alexandar Georgiev's backup. Annunen has two NHL appearances under his belt this season, posting an .854 SV% and a 3.58 GAA.
Murray returned to backing up Scott Wedgewood on Wednesday after recording a shutout on Monday in his season debut against the Minnesota Wild. Murray has been involved in paper transactions daily since being recalled from the Texas Stars (AHL) after Jake Oettinger was injured as part of salary cap gymnastics. It is unclear if Murray's most recent demotion is permanent or if he will be recalled again ahead of their next contest as Oettinger nears his return.
Saros will return to the Predators' crease on Tuesday after getting Saturday night's game in Dallas off in favour of backup Kevin Lankinen. Saros took the loss his last time out, allowing five goals on 25 shots in a 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames. He's endured an up-and-down season to date, posting a .901 SV% to go along with his 16-14-1 record, but he's got a great chance of getting back in the win column on Tuesday with the Predators being sizable home favourites at -225 over the Ducks.
After playing in 12 straight games, and struggling lately, Scott Wedgewood will finally get a night off on Monday as Murray will tend the twice for the Stars in his first game of the season. Murray has been with the team since mid-December when Jake Oettinger suffered a lower-body injury. The undrafted 25-year-old Murray has a 2.86 GAA and .908 SV% in 13 games (8-4-1) with the Texas Stars this season. The Stars have lost three straight (0-2-1), being outscored 13-10, but are -127 road favourites against a Minnesota Wild club without their leading scorer, Kirill Kaprizov.
Saros will return to the crease on Thursday after recording his second shutout of the season in his previous outing. Saros saved all 21 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, snapping his three-game losing streak (0-2-1) that saw him allow 13 goals and post an uncharacteristically low .829 SV%. The Predators will search for their third straight victory as -114 home favourites against a Calgary Flames club that has won two straight.
