Saros has missed the last seven games with an upper-body injury but will at least serve as the Predators backup on Thursday. While Saros was out, Pekka Rinne went 2-4-1 with a .879 SV%.

Saros was forced to leave Tuesday's game vs. the Hurricanes and missed Wednesday's practice. Head coach John Hynes called him day-to-day with an upper-body injury, so look for Pekka Rinne to start Thursday.

Saros allowed five goals on 24 shots in the Predators loss in Florida last Thursday. Pekka Rinne started the last two games but Saros will start the second-half of their back-to-back vs. the Lightning. Saros has lost four of his last five starts while allowing a combined 18 goals on 123 shots (.854 SV%).

Saros surrendered four goals on 27 shots in the Predators loss in Tampa Bay on Monday. Saros has now lost three of his last four starts while allowing 13 goals on 99 shots (.869 SV%). The 25-year-old has struggled on the road, going 0-3-0 with a 4.62 GAA and .821 SV%.

In 2020, Saros set a new career-high in starts (34) but a career-worst in GAA (2.70) and SV% (.914). After posting a .924 SV% in the first two years of his career, Saros is t-14th in SV% (.915) over the last two years. Tonight will be the first time that someone other than Pekka Rinne starts a Predators' season opener since 2009.

In 2020, Saros set a new career-high in starts (34) but a career-worst in GAA (2.70) and SV% (.914). After posting a .924 SV% in the first two years of his career, Saros is t-14th in SV% (.915) over the last two years. Tonight will be the first time that someone other than Pekka Rinne starts a Predators' season opener since 2009.