15 Craig Smith RW

Predators' Craig Smith: Scratched on Tuesday

Smith missed the last two skates, but he participated in warmups ahead of Tuesday's game and appeared to be fine. However, he it was revealed he has a lower-body injury and will sit out. He'll look to get healthy for Thursday's contest versus the Avalanche. Frederick Gaudreau will take Smith's place in the lineup.

Predators' Craig Smith: Agonizing scoring drought continues

Smith started January with a bang, notching four goals and an assist in five games, but he's really been struggling since then. Both he and Kevin Fiala must really be feeling the absence of Kyle Turris (lower body), as the trio showed a huge amount of chemistry together last season as the Preds' second line. Smith will be lucky to crack the 40-point mark this season given his current pace.

Predators' Craig Smith: Demoted to third line

Now with just 25 points in 50 games, Smith is currently on pace for a 40-point season -- a pretty significant step back from last year's 51-point effort. Normally one of the NHL's streakier players, his recent bout of inconsistency has now landed him in a checking-line role, which further devalues him from a fantasy perspective. Bottom line, Smith is simply not worthy of a roster spot in most standard formats right now.

Predators' Craig Smith: Leads offense in win

The 29-year-old has active goal (three games) and point (five games) streaks going, but this performance was his first multi-point effort since Dec. 1. Smith is up to 14 goals and 24 points through 43 games, and he seems comfortably headed for his fifth career 20-goal campaign.

Predators' Craig Smith: Opens scoring in win

Smith lagged slightly behind an offensive rush where he received a pass from Kevin Fiala and rifled one past an over-committed Michal Neuvirth. It was Smith's fourth point in the last five games and 11th goal of the season. He's on pace for the fifth 20-goal season of his eight-year career.