By the time Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final rolls around each year, the final two teams are usually battered and bruised.
2017 Stanley Cup Final: Projected lineups for Penguins and Predators in Game 1
Patric Hornqvist and Mike Fisher are back.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
The Penguins and Predators are no exception, but each will likely get important players back from injury when Game 1 begins on Monday night. Let’s project what the lineups should look like when the puck drops in Pittsburgh, based on the weekend’s practices and updates from Monday’s morning skates.
Nashville Predators
Fisher just recently got cleared to play in Game 1 and said he’s feeling good. The Predators captain missed the last two games. Smith has missed all but one game in the last two rounds with a lower-body injury, but apparently he’s good to go as well.
UPDATE: Colin Wilson’s absence is concerning, and the Predators officially announced moments before game time that the forward will not suit up for Game 1.
Projected Predators lines
With Ryan Johansen out for the series, the Preds have changed things up with their forward group. But Mike Fisher’s return could change it up even more. This is what the lines looked like during Sunday’s practice, so it’s a good starting point. And you can probably expect the Predators’ defensive pairs to remain unchanged.
Forwards
Viktor Arvidsson — Mike Fisher — James Neal
Defensemen
Goalie
Pittsburgh Penguins
That’s a bit misleading, since it implies Sullivan offered information freely to reporters. As if.
No fun.
Projected Penguins lines
UPDATE: And here’s the official lines from the Penguins.
Forwards
Chris Kunitz — Sidney Crosby — Conor Sheary
Scott Wilson — Evgeni Malkin — Phil Kessel
Bryan Rust — Nick Bonino — Carter Rowney
Jake Guentzel — Matt Cullen — Patric Hornqvist
Defensemen
Olli Maatta — Trevor Daley
Ian Cole — Justin Schultz
Goalie
Matt Murray
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