The Predators are off to a 4-2-0 start to the 2025-26 season and will likely turn to Saros between the pipes on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite the team's unspectacular start to the season, they have received adequate goaltending from Saros, who is coming off a poor 2024-25 season. The 30-year-old goalie has a 2.68 GAA and .909 SV% in eight games this season (4-2-2). Still, Nashville enters Tuesday's game as +138 home underdogs against a Tampa Bay team seemingly turning a corner, having won two straight after losing six of its first seven (1-4-2).

The Predators will turn to Saros for the seventh time this season when they host the Canucks on Thursday. Nashville's workhorse netminder struggled in his last outing, allowing five goals on 32 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Ducks on Tuesday. He carries a 2-2-2 record and a .906 SV% into Thursday night's matchup with Vancouver, where the Predators enter action at -115 on the money line.

Wood was with the Predators to start the season but was a healthy scratch in their first game and ultimately reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) shortly after. The 20-year-old forward scored one point (0G / 1A) in his first six NHL games last season and will make his 2025-26 debut on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks.

Wood was with the Predators to start the season but was a healthy scratch in their first game and ultimately reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) shortly after. The 20-year-old forward scored one point (0G / 1A) in his first six NHL games last season.

Hague was acquired from Vegas in the offseason and then signed to a four-year, $22 million contract with the Predators. He suffered an upper-body injury earlier in the preseason and has been sidelined for Nashville's first seven games this season. Hague was originally paired with Roman Josi to start training camp but it's unclear if he will return there when he makes his season debut. The 26-year-old is entering his seventh NHL season after putting up five goals, 12 points and 40 PIMs in 68 games played last season.

Marchessault did not play in Nashville's previous two games but is nearing a return after practicing on Wednesday. The 34-year-old forward has four points (2G / 2A), 15 shots, and 11 hits in five games this season. Nashville returns to action on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks.

Martin made his NHL debut in Nashville's season-opener, playing consecutive games and recording one point (0G / 1A). The 18-year-old proceeded to be a healthy scratch in four straight before drawing back into the lineup for his third career game on Tuesday. He was the fifth-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft and will report back to the Soo Saint Marie Greyhounds (OHL).

The Predators are off to a serviceable 2-2-2 start to the 2025-26 season despite scoring only 2.5 goals per game, which ranks bottom-five in the NHL. Saros has helped keep his team afloat, boasting an excellent 2.35 GAA and .919 SV% in five outings (2-1-2). The Predators enter Tuesday's contest as -133 home favorites against another struggling offensive team, the Anaheim Ducks, who have scored only two goals in their last two games (0-1-1).

Blankenburg made his season debut in Nashville's most recent game, recording a +1 plus/minus in 12:04 time-on-ice. The 27-year-old Blankenburg played a career-high 60 games with Nashville last season and recorded 16 points (4G / 12A).

Martin made his NHL debut in Nashville's season-opener, playing consecutive games and recording one point (0G / 1A). The 18-year-old has, however, been a healthy scratch in four straight. He returns to the lineup on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks, likely suiting up on a line alongside Fedor Svechkov and Tyson Jost.