*Note – These write-ups will be more detailed during the regular season as skater lines, data, and other factors are more clearcut.
Games on the Slate
New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers
St. Louis Blues at Washington Capitals
Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators
Minnesota Wild at Winnipeg Jets
Detroit Red Wings at Chicago Blackhawks
San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames
Top Goalies
Corey Crawford (CHI)
Crawford gets the entire game tonight against Detroit.
Antoine Bibeau (SJ)
Tough matchup on paper but also getting the entire game.
Laurent Brossoit (WPG)
Jets backup should see two periods here.
Alexander Georgiev (NYR)
Georgiev was very good as the Ranger backup last season and should continue to excel in that role.
Key Skaters
Artemi Panarin (NYR)
The big free-agent signing of the offseason, Panarin is slated to skate on the top line with Mika Zibanajad and number two overall pick Kaapo Kakko.
Auston Matthews (TOR)
Kills the Senators, skating with wingers he’s had success with in the past in a game that could be a track meet heavily in Toronto’s favor.
Alex Ovechkin (WAS)
Not gonna waste my time explaining this one. Even if he doesn’t score, the shot volume is worth the roster spot.
Top Positional Plays
Center
Auston Matthews (TOR)
Mark Scheifele (WPG)
Jonathan Toews (CHI)
Sebastian Aho (CAR)
Mika Zibanajad (NYR)
Nicklas Backstrom (WAS)
Nico Hischier (NJ)
Tyler Bozak (STL)
Wing
Vladimir Tarasenko (STL)
Blake Wheeler (WPG)
Patrick Kane (CHI)
Evander Kane (SJ)
Kaapo Kakko (NYR)
Brandon Saad (CHI)
Jaden Schwartz (STL)
Chris Kreider (NYR)
Willie Nylander (TOR)
Jakub Vrana (WAS)
Defense
Morgan Rielly (TOR)
John Carlson (WAS)
Dougie Hamilton (CAR)
Jacob Trouba (NYR)
Justin Faulk (CAR)
Duncan Keith (CHI)
Josh Morrissey (WPG)
Brent Seabrook (CHI)
Adam Fox (NYR)
Line Stacks
Rangers – Panarin, Zibanajad, Kakko
Maple Leafs – Johnnson, Mathews, Nylander
Blackhawks – Nylander, Toews, Kane
GOOD LUCK!
