The Nashville Predators are facing a bit of turbulence with the announcement that goaltender Juuse Saros is day-to-day due to an upper-body injury. The specifics of the injury remain a mystery, as Saros managed to play through Tuesday’s thrilling 4-3 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Whether he sustained the injury during or after the game is still unclear.
This setback couldn't come at a worse time for the Predators, who are in the thick of a playoff push. Thursday’s matchup against the Seattle Kraken is crucial, with the Kraken holding the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Nashville trails by just two points, and a win would be a significant boost to their playoff aspirations, even if it doesn’t immediately leapfrog them over Seattle due to tiebreaker rules.
However, Saros’ absence might not drastically alter Nashville’s chances. Despite being a cornerstone for the Predators, Saros has had a rocky season.
His 24-19-7 record, coupled with an .894 save percentage and a -1.26 goals saved above expected at 5-on-5 in 51 games, highlights his struggles. Yet, Nashville continues to rely on him heavily, as he's one of only two goalies on track to start over 60 games this season.
With Saros sidelined, Justus Annunen steps up as the starting goaltender. Annunen has shown flashes of potential, posting a 6-9-2 record, an .890 save percentage, and a 1.66 GSAx at 5-on-5 across 21 games this season.
Adding depth to the roster, the Predators have called up Matt Murray from the Milwaukee Admirals, their AHL affiliate, to back up Annunen. Not to be mistaken for the two-time Stanley Cup champion, this Murray has appeared in four NHL games, last suiting up for the Dallas Stars in the 2023-24 season. In the AHL, he’s compiled a 17-17-2 record with a .908 save percentage and three shutouts in 37 games.
As the Predators navigate this challenging period, fans will be watching closely to see how the team adapts and whether they can maintain momentum in the playoff race.