Kucherov, Cirelli and Hagel together in Lightning’s Canucks preview
Tampa Bay lists Kucherov, Cirelli and Hagel together as Vancouver finishes its trip with Chytil back in the lineup.
What's newVancouver finishes its six-game road trip with Filip Chytil back after his season debut Thursday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning list Nikita Kucherov alongside Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel on their first forward line for Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks, according to the club’s game notes. The Oct. 17 matchup at Benchmark International Arena is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.
Vancouver is completing a six-game road trip. Coach Manny Malhotra said the Canucks handled Florida’s forecheck better in Thursday’s overtime loss, though he was dissatisfied with the final 10 minutes, according to the club’s Saturday preview.
Filip Chytil returned for his season debut in that game and assisted on defenceman Elias Pettersson’s goal. Malhotra said Chytil’s puck-carrying ability helps the team, while cautioning that the centre still needs time to find his rhythm.
The next line in the notes has Jake Guentzel with Brayden Point and Conor Geekie. Tampa Bay is seeking to keep its unbeaten home record intact in its first meeting with Vancouver this season.
The notes list Victor Hedman with Max Crozier on defence, behind the pairings of JJ Moser with John Carlson and Ryan McDonagh with Erik Cernak. These are the club’s listed combinations ahead of the game.
After hosting Vancouver, Tampa Bay begins a three-game road trip in Vegas on Tuesday, Oct. 20, before visiting Colorado on Oct. 23 and Utah on Oct. 24.
