Projected Lineup: Hurricanes vs. Predators
Pollock Printing Projected Lineup: Juuse Saros Could be Back in Net as Preds Host Canes
by Thomas Willis @TomAWillis / Director of Digital & Radio Content
Two teams just on the outside of playoff positioning clash in Nashville tonight (at 7 p.m. CT).
The Predators (29-22-7) are the owners of a three-game winning streak, their first such stretch since October. Nashville sits three points out of the second Wild Card with four games in hand.
The Hurricanes (33-21-4) are one point back from playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand. Carolina dropped their last game at home on Sunday, a 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Nashville held a full morning skate on Tuesday and were joined by Ryan Ellis (Injured Reserve). Ellis skated on a pairing with Matt Irwin, but did not join the top-six group on defense. Below is a Preds projected lineup based on the session:
Forwards
Viktor Arvidsson - Ryan Johansen - Mikael Granlund
Filip Forsberg - Matt Duchene - Kyle Turris
Rocco Grimaldi - Nick Bonino - Craig Smith
Calle Jarnkrok - Colton Sissons - Austin Watson
Defense
Roman Josi - Yannick Weber
Jarred Tinordi - Mattias Ekholm
Dan Hamhuis - Dante Fabbro
Goaltenders
Juuse Saros
Pekka Rinne
Note: The Predators have not announced a starting goaltender for tonight's game