Lauzon has not played since November 25th but appears to be nearing a return to the linuep. The 27-year-old defenseman is averaging 18:33 time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A) and a monstrous 103 hits in 22 games this season.
Josi has not played since December 10th and will not play on Tuesday but appears to be inching closer to a return. The 34-year-old Josi has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 29 games this season. The Predators have opted to run a five-forward group on their top powerplay unit with Josi out of the lineup.
Svechkov has played nine games with the Predators this season, the first of his career, scoring two goals. The 21-year-old forward was the 19th overall draft pick of the Predators in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has eight points (5G / 3A) in seven games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) this season.
Svechkov will take a seat on Thursday as Ryan O'Reilly and Gustav Nyquist make their returns to the lineup. Svechkov has two goals and zero assists in nine games this season.
Annunen will make his second start as a Predator when Nashville travels to Dallas to take on the Stars on Thursday. Annunen was sharp in a losing effort in his Preds debut, allowing just two goals on 29 shots in a 3-0 defeat in Montreal last Thursday. The 24-year-old netminder owns a 6-5-0 record and an .879 SV% in 12 appearances split between the Avalanche and Predators this season. He's a longshot to secure his first win as a Predator on Thursday with Nashville entering action at +185 on the money line.
Josi suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday's game against the Calgary Flames and did not return. The 34-year-old Josi is only day-to-day but is a crushing loss for the Predators' blueline. He has 23 points (7G / 16A) while averaging 24:59 time-on-ice through 29 games. With Alexandre Carrier (upper body) also out, and placed on Injured Reserve, the Predators have recalled Kevin Gravel from Milwaukee (AHL).
Gravel has played 132 career NHL games but has exclusively been an AHL played since a 23-game stint with the Predators in the 2022-23 season. The 32-year-old defenseman has five points (1G / 4A) in 20 games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) this season.
Nyquist was a late scratch on Tuesday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. The Predators added that Nyquist is considered day-to-day as he battles the illness.
Saros will make his league-leading 24th start of the season when the Predators host the Flames on Tuesday. Saros is in the midst of a six game losing streak, registering a lowly .886 SV% across that span. He still owns a .910 SV% on the season despite the poor stretch of play, but a lack of goal support has his record sitting at 6-12-5. Luckily for Saros, he has a great chance of getting back in the win column on Tuesday as the Predators enter action at -180 on the money line.
Jayden Struble will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Anaheim Ducks, allowing Barron to re-enter the lineup after a one-game absence. The 23-year-old Barron is averaging 15:29 time-on-ice through 13 games, recording one point (1G / 0A), 15 blocks, and 15 hits.
Annunen will make his Predators debut on Thursday as Juuse Saros gets the night off on the tail-end of Nashville's back-to-back. Annunen struggled with the Avalanche before being dealt to the Predators for Scott Wedgewood, posting an .872 SV% and a 3.23 GAA across 11 appearances. The 24-year-old netminder draws a favourable matchup for his Nashville debut as the Predators enter action as -135 favourites against the Habs.
