Carrier will miss his fourth straight game with an upper-body injury but appears to be nearing a return after participating at practice on Thursday. Before his injury, Carrier was a steadying presence on the Predators' blue line, averaging 18:08 time-on-ice and scoring eight points (1G / 7A) in 22 games.

Novak has not played since November 11th, battling an upper-body injury, but is expected to make his return on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his injury, Novak had 12 points (6G/ 6A), averaged 16:02 time-on-ice, and played predominantly on a line with Kiefer Sherwood and Luke Evangelista.

With the news that Adam Boqvist (shoulder) has been placed on the Injured Reserve, Nick Blankenberg was recalled from Cleveland (AHL) for the first time this season. The 25-year-old defensemen appeared in 36 games for the Blue Jackets in 2022-23 and had four goals and 14 points. He had gotten off to an impressive start in the AHL so far, with three goals, 11 points, 20 PIMs and a +9 plus/minus in 18 games played prior to his promotion.

Smith has four goals, five assists, 29 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 24 games this season but will miss Tuesday vs. Chicago due to illness and is considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old will be replaced by Tyson Barrie, who returns after a two game absence over the weekend as Nashville goes with an 11 forward, seven defensemen lineup.

Saros is the starter for the Predators on Tuesday after an exceptional performance on Sunday, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Saros has elevated his game considerably lately, winning five of his last six starts (5-1-0) and boasting an impressive .918 SV%. The Predators have a favourable matchup on Tuesday and are -179 road favourites against a Blackhawks team that has been outscored 12-3 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

Saros is the likely starter for the Predators on Tuesday after an exceptional performance on Sunday, saving 34 of 35 shots (.971 SV%) in a 2-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Saros has elevated his game considerably lately, winning five of his last six starts (5-1-0) and boasting an impressive .918 SV%. The Predators have a favourable matchup on Tuesday and are -179 road favourites against a Blackhawks team that has been outscored 12-3 during a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

Hinostroza will sit on Monday after playing just 5:16 against the Flyers on Saturday. He has one goal and two assists in nine games for the Penguins this season. Hinostroza will make way for the recently recalled Alex Nylander.

Hinostroza played on 5:16 time-on-ice in the Penguins' 4-3 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday and will be a healthy scratch in a rematch between the two teams on Monday night. Hinostroze has been in and out of the lineup in his first season with the Penguins, scoring three points (1G / 2A) in nine games.

Saros will be back between the pipes for the Predators on Sunday after Kevin Lankinen got the call for Saturday's game against the Rangers. After a run of four consecutive victories, Saros struggled his last time out, allowing four goals on 15 shots before being lifted in favour of Lankinen in Thursday's 6-1 defeat to the Wild. He'll look to get back in the win column against a struggling Sabres team on Sunday.

Carrier left Thursday's matchup vs. Minnesota after just three shifts and 1:39 TOI after being the recipient of a questionable hit from Kirill Kaprizov and is considered out week-to-week with an upper-body injury. He has been enjoying a solid start to 2023-24, with a goal, seven assists, 16 SOG, 12 PIMs and a +3 plus/minus in 22 games prior to his injury.

Wedgewood will return to the crease for the first time since November 20th, when he saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Wedgewood has been excellent when called upon this season, posting a 3.02 GAA and .916 SV% in five games (4-1-0) and has excelled lately, posting a .930 SV% in his last three starts (3-0-0). The Stars lost at home against the Calgary Flames last week but have been exceptionally better on the road this season, posting an 8-1-1 record, and, as such, are -128 road favourites on Thursday.

Wedgewood will likely return to the crease for the first time since November 20th, when he saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the New York Rangers. Wedgewood has been excellent when called upon this season, posting a 3.02 GAA and .916 SV% in five games (4-1-0) and has excelled lately, posting a .930 SV% in his last three starts (3-0-0). The Stars lost at home against the Calgary Flames last week but have been exceptionally better on the road this season, posting an 8-1-1 record, and, as such, are -128 road favourites on Thursday.

Saros will start for the third straight game and look for his fifth consecutive victory as the red-hot Predators are riding a six-game winning streak. After a shaky start to the season, recording only four wins in his first 13 games (4-9-0) and a .892 SV%, Saros has looked more like himself during his current four-game winning streak, boasting a .925 SV%. The Predators are averaging 4.33 goals per game during this six-game stretch and are -115 home favourites against a Minnesota Wild team that ranks second-worst in the league defensively (3.80 GA / GP).

Saros is the starter for the Predators on Tuesday as they look to extend their season-best winning streak to six games. Saros started the season playing some of the worst hockey of his career, recording a .892 SV% through 13 games (4-9-0), but seems to have levelled off to more familiar territory, posting a substantially better .920 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0). The Predators are slight -106 home favourites against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has four of their last six (2-4-0).

Stastney appeared in the Predators' previous five games and picked up a goal, four SOG, four PIMs and a +4 plus/minus during his short showing but has been reassigned to Milwaukee (AHL) Tuesday. The 23-year-old defender returns to the minors, where he had a goal and three assists in 10 games prior to his promotion.

Saros is the likely starter for the Predators on Tuesday as they look to extend their season-best winning streak to six games. Saros started the season playing some of the worst hockey of his career, recording a .892 SV% through 13 games (4-9-0), but seems to have levelled off to more familiar territory, posting a substantially better .920 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0). The Predators are slight -106 home favourites against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has four of their last six (2-4-0).