FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Stars second preseason game against the Colorado Avalanche is a “prove it” moment for several of the players suiting up against the Colorado Avalanche.
After rolling out a veteran group against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, Ken Hitchcock is leaning on a group of younger players, likely AHLers, and R.J. Umberger — essentially a group fighting for inclusion on the NHL roster.
Of the 12 forwards in the lineup, only four are expected to pbe on the NHL roster on opening night. The defensive pairs are a bit younger and Dillon Heatherington will make an appearance, while Greg Pateryn and Patrik Nemeth get their first crack at impressing Hitchcock in game action.
Kari Lehtonen will start and play two periods. Landon Bow is expected to play the third period in relief.
The Avalanche are fielding a slightly more experienced lineup. That includes Matt Duchene, who has had a bit of a drama-filled offseason in Colorado.
No. 9 will make his preseason debut tonight. Zadorov is at AM skate as spectator #Avs pic.twitter.com/UfcyfPuNHU
— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) September 21, 2017
Projected lineup
Curtis McKenzie – Radek Faksa – R.J. Umberger
Justin Dowling – Jason Dickinson – Brian Flynn
Antoine Roussel- Roope Hintz – Denis Gurianov
Remi Elie – Devin Shore – Adam Cracknell
Dan Hamhuis – Stephen Johns
Dillon Heatherington – Julius Honka
Patrik Nemeth – Greg Pateryn
Kari Lehtonen
Landon Bow
NuttySquirrel says
Is Caamano not playing? Or is he getting rotated in?
Sean Shapiro says
Based on first line rushes it looks like he’s out. He is traveling with team on trip, so we will know for sure come warmups.