Based on today’s practice, changes could be coming to Team USA’s lineup for tomorrow’s must-win versus Team Canada at the World Cup.
Dustin Byfuglien, a controversial scratch in Saturday’s loss to Team Europe, was reportedly skating on a pairing with Erik Johnson, while Jack Johnson did not participate in rushes.
Jack Johnson played just 11:26 on Saturday, the lowest amount of any American defenseman.
Jack Johnson didn't take rushes in practice on a D pair. USA D pairs were McDonagh-Carlson, Suter-Niskanen, EJohnson-Byfuglien.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) September 19, 2016
It also appears that winger Kyle Palmieri, a 30-goal scorer for the Devils last season, could be entering the lineup.
USA lines: Parise-Kesler-Wheeler, Abdelkader-Stepan-Kane, JVR-Pavelski-Oshie, Pacioretty-Dubinsky/Backes-Palmieri. Backes & Dubinsky rotated
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) September 19, 2016
David Backes played a team-low 6:35 against Team Europe, so he’s the most obvious candidate to come out.
P.S. -- Patrick Kane with Derek Stepan and Justin Abdelkader is an....um....interesting combination.
Related: That was the worst possible World Cup debut for Team USA