Lucchini had nine goals, 20 points, six PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in 24 games with Iowa (AHL) and has been recalled to Minnesota for the first time this season on emergency conditions. The 28-year-old left-winger last appeared in the NHL for his one and only season in 2022-23 and had a goal, 14 SOG, and a -2 plus/minus in 11 games played.
David Jiricek will draw into the lineup on Thursday in favour of Blankenburg, who will be a healthy scratch. Blankenburg has played six games this season and has zero points while averaging 17:53 time-on-ice.
Saros has won six straight contests and will return to the crease on Tuesday when the Predators welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Saros has only allowed nine total goals during his six-game winning streak, boasting a tremendous .954 SV%. The Predators were defeated 5-2 by the Canucks earlier this season with Kevin Lankinen between the pipes, but they have won four straight games and are -122 home favourites on Tuesday.
With Jake Oettinger sidelined due to a lower-body injury, Murray has been recalled and will serve as the backup to Scott Wedgewood. Murray has a 2.86 GAA and .908 SV% in 13 games (8-4-1) with the Texas Stars of the AHL this season. A concrete timeline for Oettinger's return to action is not yet available but it is unlikely that Murray will see much action between the pipes in Dallas unless he is with the club for an extended period.
Evangelista will get the opportunity to play on Friday as Kiefer Sherwood (upper-body) is unavailable. Evangelista has four goals and ten assists in 28 games this season.
Evangelista is expected to watch the game from the press box as a healthy scratch, allowing Philip Tomasino to draw back into the lineup. Evangelista has only one point (0G / 1A) in his last seven games while playing mainly with Kiefer Sherwood and Tommy Novak.
Vrana has cleared waivers Wednesday after being placed on them Tuesday and will report to Springfield (AHL) as he attempts to still resurrect his career. The 27-year-old left-winger was traded to St. Louis last season and had 12 goals and 20 points in 39 games with the Blues over two seasons but his lack of defensive play has led to him being back in the minors. He carriers a $5,250,000 contract hit this season.
Saros was tremendous in his last game, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens and will look for his fifth straight victory on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Saros has been excellent during a four-game winning streak, allowing only six goals total on 133 shots (.955 SV%). The Predators are -135 home favourites against a surprising Flyers team that has won four straight but will turn to backup goalie Samuel Ersson.
Saros was tremendous in his last game, saving 36 of 37 shots (.973 SV%) in a 2-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens and will look for his fifth straight victory on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Saros has been excellent during a four-game winning streak, allowing only six goals total on 133 shots (.955 SV%). The Predators are -135 home favourites against a surprising Flyers team that has won four straight but will turn to backup goalie Samuel Ersson.
After joining the Blues late last season, Vrana has been unable to make his desired mark with the team and has subsequently been placed on unconditional waivers. Vrana has mostly played this season alongside Kevin Hayes and Alexey Toropchenko, scoring six points (2G / 4A) in 19 games.
Stastney set a new career high in games played Thursday (9) but has been reassigned to Milwaukee (AHL) Friday. The 23-year-old fifth-round pick had been playing an impressive brand of hockey prior to his demotion, with one goal, five SOG, four PIMs and a +6 plus/minus in nine games. He will return to Milwaukee, where he had a goal and four points in 10 games prior to his latest promotion.
Vrana has been out of the lineup since November 28th and has only played two of the last eight games for the Blues. Vrana has six points (2G / 4A) and 41 shots on goal in 17 games this season. He is expected to skate on the fourth line alongside Alexei Toropchenko and Nikita Alexandrov.
Saros will search for his third straight victory as the starter for the third consecutive game on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Saros has been excellent lately, winning six of his last seven contests (6-1-0), posting a .914 SV% in the process. The Predators' resurgent play lately has them listed as -129 home favourites on Thursday against a Lightning team that has won two straight, outscoring their opposition 7-1, but played last night and will presumably turn to Jonas Johansson between the pipes.
Saros will search for his third straight victory as the likely starter for the third consecutive game on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Saros has been excellent lately, winning six of his last seven contests (6-1-0), posting a .914 SV% in the process. The Predators' resurgent play lately has them listed as -129 home favourites on Thursday against a Lightning team that has won two straight, outscoring their opposition 7-1, but played last night and will presumably turn to Jonas Johansson between the pipes.
