Predators' Cole Smith out for Game 6 of NHL playoffs; Juuso Parssinen in vs Canucks

The Nashville Predators are making one change to their lineup for Game 6 of the NHL playoffs against the Vancouver Canucks.

Forward Cole Smith (upper body) will not play in Game 6, the Predators announced at warmups. In his place, Juuso Parssinen will play his first career NHL playoff game.

At morning skate on Friday, coach Andrew Brunette mentioned some "game-time decisions," suggesting that some players were dealing with illness and might not be able to play. Luke Schenn was unable to play in Game 5 in Vancouver due to an illness he said was "the worst he'd had in 10 years."

The Predators announced Smith's absence is related to an upper-body injury and not related to Schenn's illness.

Juuso Parssinen will play for Predators in Game 6

Parssinen played in 44 games for the Predators this season, scoring eight goals and four assists, but most of his hockey this season has been in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Milwaukee Admirals.

Last season, Parssinen had a breakout season for the Predators, scoring 25 points in 45 games, but he struggled to find the same energy early this season. He began the season on the top line with Ryan O'Reilly and Filip Forsberg, but was assigned to the Predators' AHL affiliate on Jan 21.

Parssinen recorded seven goals and 18 assists in 36 games for the Admirals this season, helping Milwaukee qualify for the AHL's Calder Cup playoffs.

The Predators recalled Parssinen last week ahead of Games 3 and 4 in Nashville, with Brunette saying they "might need him" in case something happened.

Now Parssinen steps into the Game 6 lineup, with the Predators hoping to avoid elimination for the second straight game.

WHO IS JUUSO PARSSINEN? The Nashville Predators' 7th-round pick who found his way to top line

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Predators' Cole Smith out of Game 6 NHL playoffs, Juuso Parssinen in