Lankinen, who last played on December 19th, saving 11 of 11 shots in relief of Juuse Saros, is battling an illness and will not suit up for the Predators on Wednesday. The team has recalled Yaroslav Askarov, who will serve as the backup to Saros.

The Predators are opting to defy the conventional approach to a back-to-back and give Lankinen the start on Friday, meaning Juuse Saros is likely to get the nod against the Capitals on Saturday. Lankinen took a tough-luck loss his last start on December 9th in Toronto, allowing three goals on 36 shots in the 4-0 defeat. He'll have his hands full again tonight with the Predators being +145 underdogs in Caorlina.

Lankinen takes the crease for the first time in five games after winning his previous start on November 4th in a 33 save (.943 SV%) performance over Edmonton. The 28-year-old backup has rarely been called upon this season but has been acceptable when needed with his 1-1-0 record, .900 SV%, and 3.01 GAA. He takes on the Chicago Blackhawks, who are in the middle of a two-game losing streak and are second last in the NHL in shots per game (26.1).

In the Nashville Predators' ninth game of the season, the team will finally turn to Lankinen for his first start of the year. Lankinen played 40 minutes earlier this season in relief of Juuse Saros, saving 17 of 19 shots, and is coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he was a very serviceable backup for the Predators, recording a 2.75 GAA and .916 SV%. The Predators are +129 road underdogs against a Vancouver Canucks team that is off to a terrific start this season (5-2-1), averaging 3.88 goals per game, fifth-best in the league.

In the Nashville Predators' ninth game of the season, the team will finally turn to Lankinen for his first start of the year. Lankinen played 40 minutes earlier this season in relief of Juuse Saros, saving 17 of 19 shots, and is coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he was a very serviceable backup for the Predators, recording a 2.75 GAA and .916 SV%. The Predators are +129 road underdogs against a Vancouver Canucks team that is off to a terrific start this season (5-2-1), averaging 3.88 goals per game, fifth-best in the league.

Lankinen is 13-7-5 with a .922 SV% and 2.58 GAA in his first season as Nashville's backup goalie and has signed a one-year, $2.0 million contract extension. The 27-year-old is in his third NHL season.

Lankinen stopped 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) for his third win in four games as he beat the Florida Panthers in his previous start. The 27-year-old Predators' backup has been enjoying his best season to date, with his 6-5-1 record, 2.70 GAA and .919 SV%. He takes on Florida Panthers, who have won three of their last five games after a 4-1 victory over Tampa Bay last game and are first in the NHL in shots per game (36.7).

Lankinen stopped 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%) for his second-straight win as he beat the Columbus Blue Jackets' handily in his previous start. The 27-year-old Predators' backup has been having his best season to date, with his 5-4-1 record, 2.64 GAA and .924 SV%. He takes on the Arizona Coyotes, who are in the midst of trading star defenseman Jakob Chychrun and have lost their last two games after a 6-5 loss to St. Louis last game.