*Note – These write-ups will be more detailed during the regular season as skater lines, data, and other factors are more clearcut.
Top Goalies
Carey Price (MTL)
Slated to play the whole game against the Panthers who are resting most of their regulars after these two teams matched up last night.
Matt Murray (PIT)
It’s unclear at this time how much time Murray will see, but he faced a Columbus team skating without any of their primary skaters.
Phil Grubauer (COL)
Pretty soft matchup for Grub tonight.
Brian Elliot (PHI)
He’ll be in net for the first two periods.
Key Skaters
Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
As we already know, he does so much for the Pens when they’re at full strength. Take out guys like Crosby and the “offseason departed” Phil Kessel and we should see Geno all over the ice tonight. Expect him to skate with familiar winger Jake Guentzel and either Patric Hornqvist or Domenik Simon; two guys he also has a lot of chemistry with.
Nathan MacKinnon (COL)
Really hard to avoid MacKinnon tonight considering that the Stars are sitting all of their regulars.
Top Positional Plays
Center
William Karlsson (VGK)
Sean Couturier (PHI)
Max Domi (MTL)
Bo Horvat (VAN)
Vinnie Trocheck (FLA)
Wing
Claude Giroux (PHI)
Jonathan Marchessault (VGK)
Brendan Gallagher (MTL)
Mark Stone (VGK)
Jake Guentzel (PIT)
Gabriel Landeskog (COL)
James van Riemsdyk (PHI)
Patric Hornqvist (PIT)
Domenik Simon (PIT)
Defense
Keith Yandle (FLA)
Ivan Provorov (PHI)
Shea Weber (MTL)
Oscar Klehbom (EDM)
Shayne Gostisbehere (PHI)
Cale Makar (COL)
Justin Schultz (PIT)
Line Stacks
Golden Knights – Marchessault, Karlsson, Stone
Flyers – Giroux, Couturier, Farabee
Canadiens – Lehkonen, Domi, Gallagher
GOOD LUCK!
