

Michael McCarron was just reinstated from the NHLPA Player Assistance Program and has been reassigned to Milwaukee (AHL). The 27-year-old had one goal, one assist, 21 SOG and 17 PIMs through 17 games with Nashville prior to his demotion.

Lucchini had one goal, 14 SOG, and was a -2 plus/minus through 11 games with the Senators but has been reassigned to Belleville (AHL) after clearing waivers earlier Wednesday. Lucchini heads back to Belleville (AHL) where he had seven goals, 16 assists, two PIMs and a -12 plus/minus through 25 games prior to being promoted.

Saros allowed five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) for his second straight loss as he was defeated by Buffalo in his previous start. The 27-year-old star netminder has been a rock for the Predators this season, with his 15-12-5 record, 2.73 GAA and .919 SV%. He takes on the Calgary Flames, who have won their last two games and are third in the NHL in shots per game (34.9).



Blankenburg last played on Nov.10th due to an ankle injury but was activated off the injured reserve Thursday. The 24-year-old had two goals, one assist, 13 SOG, and four PIMs through seven games prior to his injury.

Barron has been a healthy scratch for the previous three Montreal games but will draw back into the Canadiens' lineup as they take on the Predators Thursday. The 21-year-old defenseman has yet to pick up a point while collecting two SOG and a -4 plus/minus through four games.

Oesterle was a healthy scratch for the Red Wings' previous game Wednesday but will draw back into the lineup Thursday for Gustav Lindstrom vs. Toronto. The 30-year-old has two goals, one assist, 26 SOG and six PIMs through 27 games played this year.


Saros set the Nashville Franchise save record in his previous start with his 64-save performance (.955 SV%) in a win over Carolina in regular time. The 27-year-old has been Nashville's best player yet again this season, with his 14-10-5 record, 2.77 GAA, and .918 SV%. He will face the Ottawa Senators, who will be looking for better fortunes after an 8-4 loss to Seattle snapped their three-game winning streak.



Oesterle has two goals, one assist, 26 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 26 games but will be a healthy scratch vs. Florida.

Saros allowed three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%) but still picked up his second straight win in a victory over Montreal in his last start. The 27-year-old has drastically improved his numbers over the last month, and now has a respectable 13-10-5 record, 2.76 GAA and .915 SV%. He faces the league's hottest team in the Carolina Hurricanes, who just snapped an 11-game winning streak with a 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers last game.

Smith has eight assists, 37 SOG and 32 PIMs through 34 games but will miss Tuesday's game vs. Montreal as he is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Mark Jankowski will be taking his spot in the Predators' lineup.


Perbix has fit into the Lightning's lineup admirably in his rookie season earning himself a two-year contract extension worth an AAV of $1.125 million. The 24-year-old has three goals, five assists, 47 SOG and a +8 plus/minus through 29 games so far in 2022-23.

The Blues placed O'Reilly on IR with a broken foot and said he would be re-evaluated in six weeks. Not only does O'Reilly's injury hurt this team in the short-term, but he's also one of St. Louis' big trade chips as we head into the second half of the season. In addition to O'Reilly, Vladimir Tarasenko is expected to miss four weeks with a hand injury.

