Nashville Predators News

The Predators have clinched a playoff spot and will give Saros the night off on Friday. Kevin Lankinen will start in between the pipes with Troy Grosenick, recalled from the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL), serving as his backup.

Lucchini will take a seat on Tuesday when the Wild travel to Denver to take on the Avalanche. Vinni Lettieri will draw into the lineup in his place.

The Predators will ride with Saros in the crease for the fourth time in the last five games (2-3-0). Saros has been solid in his last three contests (2-1-0), allowing three or fewer goals in each, highlighted by saving 23 of 25 shots (.920 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 shootout victory over the New Jersey Devils. The Predators enter action on Tuesday as slight -108 home favourites against the Winnipeg Jets.

Blankenburg will begin his second stint in Columbus this season on Friday after being recalled on an emergancy basis from Cleveland (AHL). The 25-year-old failed to pick up a point across his six games played earlier in the season but had three SOG while averaging 17:52 TOI.

Colorado has lost three of their last four and will turn to Annunen for the second straight game on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. Annunen has allowed three or fewer goals in eight straight appearances (5-2-1), but struggled in his most recent outing, allowing three goals on 24 shots (.875 SV%) in a 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. That said, Colorado enters the action as a -164 road favourite.

The Predators have suddenly lost three straight and will return to Saros in the crease as they try to return to the win column. Despite a 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in their last outing, Saros played well, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%). The Predators currently occupy the first Wild-Card spot in the Western Conference and enter action on Thursday as -185 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues.

The Predators have suddenly lost three straight and will return to Saros in the crease as they try to return to the win column. Despite a 3-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in their last outing, Saros played well, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%). The Predators currently occupy the first Wild-Card spot in the Western Conference and enter action on Thursday as -185 home favourites against the St. Louis Blues.

Friedman will get a chance to play in Arizona on Wednesday as the Canucks are opting to dress seven defensemen. Friedman has no goals and one assist in 21 games this season.

After an unprecedented 16-0-2 run, the Predators have dropped two straight, being outscored 15-8, and will return to Saros between the pipes after giving him the night off in their last outing. Saros has allowed 10 goals in his last two games (1-1-0) but had allowed two or less in his previous four (4-0-0). The Predators enter action with even -105 odds at home on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.

After an unprecedented 16-0-2 run, the Predators have dropped two straight, being outscored 15-8, and will likely return to Saros between the pipes after giving him the night off in their last outing. Saros has allowed 10 goals in his last two games (1-1-0) but had allowed two or less in his previous four (4-0-0). The Predators enter action with even -105 odds at home on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins.

The Avalanche have started Annunen once every three games over the last month, a trend that will continue on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Annunen was tremendous entering Saturday's 7-4 victory over the Nashville Predators in relief of Alexandar Georgiev, saving all 22 shots he faced. Colorado enters actions as a significant -321 home favourite on Monday against the Blue Jackets.

Ufko is Nashville's 2021 fourth-round pick (115th overall) and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Nashville on Friday. The 20-year-old defenseman had an impressive third season at UMass (NCAA) as the team captain, with 10 goals, 26 points, 14 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus in 37 games played.

Del Gaizo returns to Milwaukee after a four-game stint with the Predators as Spencer Stastney is set to return from his upper-body injury. Del Gaizo has eight goals and 24 assists in 51 AHL games with the Admirals this season.