Vrana has had a decent start to the season, registering three points (1G / 2A) while averaging 12:13 time-on-ice through five games but will be a healthy scratch for the Blues on Thursday. The Blues are opting to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen on Thursday as they welcome Scott Perunovich into the lineup.
Oesterle, who has zero points and a -2 plus/minus rating through three games this season, is expected to be a healthy scratch on Thursday. The Michigan-born defenseman, in his first season with the Flames, will be replaced by Ilya Solovyov, who is making his NHL debut.
Saros has started every game for the Predators this season, and he'll get the call again on Tuesday. He's led the league in starts in each of the last two seasons and continues to be a workhorse for the Predators to begin the 2023-24 campaign. One of the NHL's most consistent goaltenders is off to another fine start this season, registering a .915 SV% and a 2.49 GAA to along with a 3-3-0 record. He will have his hands full tonight against a Vancouver team that's averaging an even four goals per game to begin the season.
Friedman will make his Vancouver Canucks debut on Thursday after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday with Ty Glover in a trade for Jack Rathbone and Karel Plasek. The 27-year-old Friedman has 65 NHL games under his belt, all with the Penguins, where he amassed 12 points (4G / 8A) along with 102 hits and 59 blocked shots. Akito Hirose was sent to Abbotsford (AHL) to make room for Friedman on the Canucks roster.
Stamkos returns to the Lightning lineup after missing two games due to the lower-body injury. The perennial all-star will be looking to regain the elite form he flashed prior to the injury. Stamkos has registered two goals and two assists with eights shots on goal in just two games so far this season.
Saros was pulled in his last start vs. Edmonton after allowing four goals on 11 shots against (.638 SV%) but will draw the start Thursday against the New York Rangers. The 28-year-old workhorse net-minder is 1-3-0 this season with a 3.41 GAA and an .887 SV%. He takes on the New York Rangers, who won their previous game 2-1 over Arizona but are seventh in the NHL in shots per game (33.7) and 11th in goals for (3.33).
McCarron has yet to appear in any of the Predators' first four games but will make his season debut Thursday vs. the New York Rangers. The 28-year-old towering forward had two goals, two assists, 24 PIMs, 39 SOG and a -3 plus/minus in 2022-23. McCarron will replace Philip Tomasino on Nashville's fourth line alongside Yakov Trenin and Colton Sissons.
Friedman will likely make his Vancouver Canucks debut on Thursday after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday with Ty Glover in a trade for Jack Rathbone and Karel Plasek. The 27-year-old Friedman has 65 NHL games under his belt, all with the Penguins, where he amassed 12 points (4G / 8A) along with 102 hits and 59 blocked shots. Akito Hirose was sent to Abbotsford (AHL) to make room for Friedman on the Canucks roster.
Saros will start his fourth straight game for the Predators to open the season. He is pretty well on par with his career 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% so far this season, posting a 2.41 GAA and .920 SV% in three contests (1-2-0). The wins aren't always there for Saros and the Predators but his superb performances have become expected as he has solidified himself as a top-tier goaltender in the NHL over the past half-decade. Saros will be put to the ultimate test Tuesday as the Predators face off against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, who are still searching for their first victory (0-2-0).
Friedman appeared in two games so far this season for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL) and has failed to pick up a point but has now been traded to Vancouver alongside Ty Glover for Jack Rathbone and Karel Plasek. The 27-year-old defensemen has played five NHL seasons for both Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and has four goals, eight assists, and 49 PIMs in 65 career games played. He is expected to take the spot of Noah Juulsen in Vancouvers' defensive unit.
Saros is expected to start his fourth straight game for the Predators to open the season. He is pretty well on par with his career 2.57 GAA and .919 SV% so far this season, posting a 2.41 GAA and .920 SV% in three contests (1-2-0). The wins aren't always there for Saros and the Predators but his superb performances have become expected as he has solidified himself as a top-tier goaltender in the NHL over the past half-decade. Saros will be put to the ultimate test Tuesday as the Predators face off against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, who are still searching for their first victory (0-2-0).
Stamkos will miss his second consecutive game as he tends to a lower-body injury. His status is day-to-day as the Lightning hope he can return soon after a torrid start to the season, recording four points (2G / 2A) in his first two games. He was replaced by Nick Paul on the top powerplay unit in his first game out of the lineup.
Annunen was the odd man out as Colorado had three goaltenders on their active roster and has been assigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on Monday. The 23-year-old struggled in minimal usage with the Avalanche in 2022-23 as he was 1-1-0 with a .854 SV% and 3.58 GAA. He heads back to the Colorado Eagles, where he was much more successful last season with his 22-10-8 record, .916 SV% and 2.55 GAA.
Saros stopped all 23 shots that he faced in the Predators' shutout win over the Kraken on Thursday. It was an outstanding performance for Saros, who allowed four goals on 34 shots in a loss in Tampa on opening night. Saros carries a 2.05 GAA and .929 SV% into tonight's game in Boston.
Saros stopped all 23 shots that he faced in the Predators' shutout win over the Kraken on Thursday. It was an outstanding performance for Saros, who allowed four goals on 34 shots in a loss in Tampa on opening night. Saros carries a 2.05 GAA and .929 SV% into tonight's game in Boston.
