Perhaps there will be more curveballs by the time the puck drops for Game 2 (this post will be updated if so), but the pre-game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lighting provided some intrigue.
Some of the details seem as-expected.
Andrei Vasilevskiy will indeed start while Ben Bishop won’t suit up for Game 2. Anton Stralman appears to be ready to go, too.
#TBLightning Anton Stralman on the ice for warmups as he returns from injury #PITvsTBL @TBLightning #NHL pic.twitter.com/gxEcgZ8HgK
— Dirk Shadd (@DirkShadd) May 16, 2016
It’s not all good news for the Lightning, however, as Ryan Callahan was not on the ice and may not play tonight. He’s missing the contest with the flu.
#TBLightning forward Ryan Callahan will miss tonight’s game due to the flu. #PITvsTBL
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) May 17, 2016
Meanwhile, the Penguins hope that Patric Hornqvist can play after a mishap:
No word on Hornqvist yet. Took puck to head in warmup. Left ice. Didn't return. One of two Penguins who doesn't wear helmet in warmups.
— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) May 16, 2016
If nothing else, he’s listed on the team’s roster as of moments ago. Also of note: Justin Schultz is indeed replacing Olli Maatta in the Penguins’ lineup.
Almost hockey time. Here's a look at tonight's #Pens lineup. Schultz will replace Maatta on defense. pic.twitter.com/0xGBc0h8fa
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) May 16, 2016
Again, this post will be tweaked if Callahan does play and/or Hornqvist does not.