Nashville Predators News

Saros is coming off his first victory in November thanks to heroics from his Predators teammates, who scored two goals in the final minute to overcome a 3-2 deficit and win 4-3 over the Colorado Avalanche. Through 14 games this season, Saros remarkably only has two quality starts (.357) after registering at least a .618 quality start rate in his four previous seasons. This string of poor play is unfamiliar territory for the perennial Vezina-finalist. The Predators hope his most recent victory can help jump-start Saros back into the netminder he has proven himself to be over the past half-decade. Saros and the Predators are slight -103 home underdogs against a Calgary Flames team that has scored four or more goals in three straight (2-0-1).

Evangelista was a surprising healthy scratch on Monday but will return to the lineup on Wednesday and skate alongside Kiefer Sherwood and Juuso Parssinen on the Predators' second line. Evangelista has nine points (1G / 8A) in 16 games this season, averaging 15:02 time-on-ice.

The Predators' last two wins have come with Kevin Lankinen between the pipes as a struggling Saros will return to the crease on Monday. Saros has not been the elite goaltender the hockey world has become accustomed to over the past half-decade this season, highlighted by allowing 21 goals on 149 shots (.859 SV%) during a season-worst five-game losing streak (0-5-0). The Predators are +146 home underdogs against an Avalanche team that has won three straight games, outscoring their opposition 19-6.

Evangelista has a goal, eight assists, 27 SOG, two PIMs, and a -2 plus/minus in 16 games this season but will be a surprisingly healthy scratch Monday vs. Colorado. The 21-year-old right-winger will be replaced by Liam Foudy in the Predators' lineup Monday.

Stastney is expected to play his ninth career NHL game, his first of the season, on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The Predators' fifth-round pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has four points (1G / 3A) in 10 games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) this season.

Del Gaizo had three assists, three SOG, two PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through five games this season to start his NHL career but has been reassigned to Milwaukee (AHL) Thursday. The 24-year-old returns to the Admirals, where he had an assist and two PIMs in five games prior to his promotion.

Saros will get the chance to redeem himself on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks after some uncharacteristically poor play in November. Saros has yet to win this month (0-4-0) and has allowed three or more goals in each game, posting an awful .860 SV%. Saros has never posted a sub- .914 SV% but is well below his career averages this season with a 3.24 GAA and .894 SV%. Despite his struggles, Saros and the Predators remain -173 home favourites against an Anaheim Ducks team that ranks in the bottom half of the league offensively (3.14 GF / GP).

Saros will likely get the chance to redeem himself on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks after some uncharacteristically poor play in November. Saros has yet to win this month (0-4-0) and has allowed three or more goals in each game, posting an awful .860 SV%. Saros has never posted a sub- .914 SV% but is well below his career averages this season with a 3.24 GAA and .894 SV%. Despite his struggles, Saros and the Predators remain -173 home favourites against an Anaheim Ducks team that ranks in the bottom half of the league offensively (3.14 GF / GP).

McCarron has been a healthy scratch for the Predators' last game but will be back in Nashville's lineup Tuesday vs. Anaheim. The 28-year-old has a goal, an assist, four SOG and a +2 plus/minus in five games this season and will take over for Philip Tomasino on the Predators' fourth line.

Stastney has been recalled with Thomas Novak being out of the lineup for the next four to six weeks with an upper-body injury. Stastney played eight games with the Predators last season, recording two assists and a +5 plus/minus rating.

Novak's absence for the next four to six weeks will be a huge blow to the Predators as he ranked second on the team with 12 points (6G / 6A) in 14 games. Novak was a regular contributor to the Predators' top powerplay unit while regularly playing in the top six at even strength. Cody Glass will likely see his duties elevator while Novak is unavailable to play.

Saros will get the nod in goal for a league-leading eleventh time this season. The Predators' workhorse gave up just three goals on 38 shots in Tuesday's 4-2 defeat to the Flames. Saros owns a .911 SV% and a 2.73 GAA to go along with his 4-6-0 record. He has a decent chance of getting back in the win column on Thursday with the Predators being just slight underdogs at +105 on the road in Winnipeg.

Hinostroza had a goal, an assist, four SOG, two PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in two games played so far in 2023-24 but has been reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) Thursday. The 29-year-old winger heads back to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton where he was succeeding prior to his NHL promotion with two goals, four points and two PIMs in five games played.