Penguins/NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins open up the pre-season tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Tonight’s lineup will be a mix of regulars, prospects and veterans vying for roster spots.
Preseason Game 1 Lineup
Forwards
Kunitz-Crosby-Tangradi
Fedotenko-Staal-Dupuis
Bayda-Jeffrey-Connor
Sill-Vitale-Godard
Defensemen
Despres-Gonchar
McKee-Bortuzzo
Eaton-Engelland
Goaltenders
Starter: Fleury
Thiessen
* Key prospects to watch this evening will be forwards Eric Tangradi, Dustin Jeffrey, Joe Vitale and defensemen Simon Despres and Robert Bortuzzo.
Tangradi who has gone through some learning curves thus far in camp, will play right wing on Sidney Crosby’s line to begin the game.
Despres will be paired with Sergei Gonchar, working as the Penguins #1 pairing. Despres has performed very well in camp.
Key veterans to watch will be Ryan Bayda and Chris Connor. Connor has been a sleeper in camp and Bayda is in camp on an invite battling for a final roster spot.
Mason, Nash won’t play for Columbus
The big news coming out of Columbus this morning is the signing of center Antoine Vermette to a 5-year contract extension.
The Blue Jackets lineup tonight will not have star goaltender Steve Mason or Rick Nash.
BlueJackets Lineup
Umberger–Vermette-Voracek
Filatov-Brassard-Dorsett
Sestito-Blunden-Boll
Picard-Murray-Mayorov
Defensemen
Methot-Clitsome
Moore-Roy
Russell Lynch
Goaltenders
Garon
Lacosta
