Nash Daily: Askarov Lighting Up AHL, Predators Recall Gurianov

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who’s coming off a better week than Nashville Predators prospect Yaroslav Askarov.

The 21-year-old Russian picked up his first NHL win on Dec. 30 in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Washington Capitals in which he stopped 27 of 29 shots, and in his first two starts after being reassigned to the Milwaukee Admirals, he logged back-to-back shutouts in wins over the Colorado Eagles, stopping all 56 shots he faced.

BACK ✌️ BACK SHUTOUTS FOR ASKY‼️#MILhockey pic.twitter.com/hYS5mKKxQK

— Milwaukee Admirals (@mkeadmirals) January 7, 2024

Askarov now ranks second in the AHL in goals-against average (2.14), sixth in save percentage (.920), and he’s tied for fifth in shutouts (2) and 10th in wins (10).

Denis Gurianov made his season debut for the Predators after getting recalled from Milwaukee ahead of Saturday’s matchup with the Dallas Stars. He skated on Nashville’s second line with Colton Sissons and Juuso Parssinen, tallying two shots on goal and skating on 19 shifts with 14:27 of ice time in the 4-3 win.

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Filip Forsberg was recently named to his second All-Star team, and four other Predators were also listed on the fan vote.

With Askarov’s recent performances, the Predators have an intriguing decision to make about his future. The Nashville Hockey Now team debates what that future will be along with breaking down which free agents the team could keep and part ways with on the latest Gold Standard podcast.

Central Division Standings

1. Winnipeg Jets — 26-9-4, 56 points
2. Colorado Avalanche — 25-12-3, 53 points
3. Dallas Stars — 22-11-5, 49 points
4. Nashville Predators — 22-17-1, 45 points
5. St. Louis Blues — 20-17-1, 41 points
6. Arizona Coyotes — 19-17-2, 40 points
7. Minnesota Wild — 17-17-4, 38 points
8. Chicago Blackhawks — 12-26-2, 26 points

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Follow Michael Gallagher on X/Twitter @MGsports_