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    • The latest on Juuse Saros, Scott Wedgewood’s injuries
    Duluth

    The latest on Juuse Saros, Scott Wedgewood’s injuries

    Eira Gwyneth Posted on

    The Nashville Predators are expected to be without starting goaltender Juuse Saros for their home opener against the Dallas Stars on Thursday.

    With Saros dealing with a lower-body injury (day-to-day), Scott Wedgewood told the Tennessean that he will be the starter for the Predators.

    Coach Andrew Brunette did not confirm Wedgewood as the starter, saying he still had to weigh his options. At practice, Wedgewood was the first off the ice after practicing in the starting lineup for most of the morning. Coming off the ice first is usually an indicator of who will start that night.

    Saros was limited in practice and did not work against top units.

    If Saros is unable to play, the team will likely have 26-year-old Matt Murray as Wedgewood’s replacement.

    Wedgewood, 32, has been Dallas’ backup goaltender behind Jake Oettinger for the past three seasons. Last season, Wedgewood finished 16-7-5 with an .899 save percentage in 28 starts.

    The Predators signed Wedgewood to a two-year, $3 million contract to back Saros this season. Saros suffered an injury in the first period of the Predators’ final preseason game.

    At the morning skate, Wedgewood said he was excited about the opportunity to get the first home opener of his career.

    “Obviously in today’s circumstances with (Saros’ injury) it’s not great, but it’s something I’m happy about,” Wedgewood said.

    Wedgewood is competing against former Stars teammates with whom he is still close. He says he’s ready for that to change on Thursday.

    “Yesterday we were friends, but today we’re not,” Wedgewood said.

    The Predators finalized their 21-player roster on Monday. Here’s how they’re expected to face the Stars on Thursday.

    Filip Forsberg – Ryan O’Reilly – Gustav Nyquist

    Steven Stamkos – Tommy Novak – Jonathan Marchessault

    Philip Tomasino – Colton Sissons – Luke Evangelista

    Mark Jankowski – Michael McCarron – Cole Smith

    STRANGELY SPECIFIC: 21 predictions for every Nashville Predators player

    On defense, the Predators will only use six defenders. While that leaves little room for error, Brunette said he wants the additional defensemen to spend more time getting up to speed in Milwaukee. Here’s how Nashville will line up on defense.

    Roman Josi – Dante Fabbro

    Brady Skjei – Luke Schenn

    Jeremy Lauzon-Alex Carrier

    Nashville Predators morning skate quotes

    “Another year with the Swedish Meatballs.” – Striker Ryan O’Reilly on reuniting with Swedish strikers Filip Forsberg and Gustav Nyquist at the helm.

    “This is nothing new. It’s not my first game in the NHL. “I know what I have to do to win hockey games, so I’m just focused on that.” – Forward Jonathan Marchessault, who will start the 639th game of his career but the first game for Nashville.

    Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Alex at [email protected]. Follow Alex on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @alexdaugherty1. Also check out our exclusive Predators Instagram page @tennessean_preds.

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    Eira Gwyneth
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