Nashville Predators forwards Mikael Granlund and Wayne Simmonds are set to make their debut at Bridgestone Arena tonight (at 7 p.m. CT).
The Preds (38-25-5) will complete the second act of their home-and-home series with the Minnesota Wild; Nashville won the first part on Sunday in a shootout. Granlund and Simmonds have suited up for two and three games for the Preds, respectively, but have not yet played a home game in Gold.
Brian Boyle missed Sunday's game with a lower-body injury. Dan Hamhuis and Miikka Salomaki remain on Injured Reserve, while Craig Smith was activated from IR on Sunday and played for the first time in six games. The Predators did not take the ice on Monday.
Minnesota (32-27-7) will see Kevin Fiala, who was acquired for Granlund, and Anthony Bitetto, who was claimed on waivers, make their initial return visit to Nashville as members of the opposition. The Wild are on a six-game point streak, but had their five-game winning streak ended on Sunday.
The Preds held a full morning skate on Tuesday and were joined by Boyle. Yannick Weber was absent. Below is a projected lineup based on the session:
Projected Lineup: Wild vs. Predators
Mikael Granlund, Wayne Simmonds Set to Make Home Debut for Predators
© John Russell
