Predators Make Lineup Change Ahead of Avalanche Game, Luke Evangelista Healthy Scratch

Forward Luke Evangelista will be a healthy scratch as the Nashville Predators welcome the Colorado Avalanche to Bridgestone Arena tonight.

The Nashville Predators face off against former teammate Ryan Johansen and the 11-5 Colorado Avalanche tonight, and Nashville's forward lines will look a bit different. Head coach Andrew Brunette said that forward Luke Evangelista will be healthy scratch tonight against the Avalanche. 

Brunette referred to the decision as a "reset" for Evangelista who has just two points in his last five games and did not record a single shot in last week's games against the Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks. 

"I think the last five, six, seven games he's been probably not playing up to his standards and my expectations," Brunette said after morning skate.  "I don't think he's been skating like he skated early in the year."

Brunette explained his reasoning for sitting Evangelista right now. 

"The game gets faster and harder as the season goes on, and to let him keep sliding right now you may not find it if I waited another ten games," Brunette said. "I think it's important that he gets his eyes on it. We talked about it. I think he has to see it and feel it and get back to work."

Despite the decision for tonight's game, Brunette called Evangelista a "smart, skilled hockey player" and said he will be back.

With Evangelista a healthy scratch and Tommy Novak on IR with an upper body injury, Kiefer Sherwood practiced this morning on a line with Cody Glass and Juuso Pärssinen. Here were the line rushes at morning skate:

Forsberg - O'Reilly - Nyquist

Sherwood - Glass - Pärssinen

Trenin - Sissons - Foudy

Smith - McCarron - Tomasino

Both Ryan McDonagh and Luke Schenn were on the ice for practice this morning, but Brunette said they are both considered "day-to-day" and willnot be in the lineup tonight. Spencer Stastney will get his second start of the 2023-24 season with the Predators. 

The Predators take on the Avalanche tonight at Bridgestone Arena. Puck drop is schedule for 7:00 pm CT.