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Nashville Predators News
Saros led the Predators onto the ice for warmups.

In 2020, Saros set a new career-high in starts (34) but a career-worst in GAA (2.70) and SV% (.914). After posting a .924 SV% in the first two years of his career, Saros is t-14th in SV% (.915) over the last two years. Tonight will be the first time that someone other than Pekka Rinne starts a Predators' season opener since 2009.

Juuse Saros
Saros is expected to start the Predators season opener in Columbus.

In 2020, Saros set a new career-high in starts (34) but a career-worst in GAA (2.70) and SV% (.914). After posting a .924 SV% in the first two years of his career, Saros is t-14th in SV% (.915) over the last two years. Tonight will be the first time that someone other than Pekka Rinne starts a Predators' season opener since 2009.

Juuse Saros
The Canadiens have signed Jake Lucchini to a one-year, two-way ($700K/85K) contract extension.

Lucchini was an undrafted free agent out of Michigan Tech. He was originally signed by the Penguins but was part of a minor league trade to the Canadiens in February. The 25-year-old finished 2020 with 11 goals and nine assists (20 points) in 61 games between Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Laval (AHL).

Jake Lucchini
Stamkos is unlikely to play in Game 2 but has not officially been ruled out.

Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said that he doesn’t think Stamkos will play in Game 2 but didn’t rule it out either. That makes Stamkos a game-time decision but more doubtful than probable. The Lightning have scored just four goals in their last three games (1.33 GF/gm) so they could use a 400-goal scorer.

Steven Stamkos
Stamkos (undisclosed) is not expected to play in Game 1 vs. the Blue Jackets.

When head coach Jon Cooper met with the media on Monday he said that everything is "status quo" which suggests that Stamkos is still "out indefinitely." Unless he's keeping things close to the vest ahead of Game 1, don't expect Stamkos to be out there on Tuesday afternoon.

Steven Stamkos