These are the first games to be played since March 12, the day the NHL paused the regular season due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
The games between the 12 Western Conference teams will take place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, while the Eastern Conference teams will play at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Rivalries, either tied to geography or recent playoff history, define most of the 12 games.
“Just kind of getting into a competitive situation against another team,” said Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews. “We’re just stepping right into it, it’s not like a typical preseason where you have four or five games to settle in. We just want to hit the ground running tomorrow.”
Here is a look at each game:
Tuesday
Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers (4 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NBCSP+, ATTSN-PIT, NHL.TV) — The Penguins are hoping to have captain Sidney Crosby back. The center returned to practice Monday in Toronto after being absent since July 18. They are also looking for clarity at goalie as incumbent Matt Murray and challenger Tristan Jarry battle for the starter’s role. For Philadelphia, goalie Carter Hart missed two days of practice last week but will play two periods against the Penguins.
Toronto Maple Leafs at Montreal Canadiens (8 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN1, TVAS, NHL.TV) — Two Original Six teams renew their rivalry to prepare for the Qualifiers. For Montreal, forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi has had a strong camp and is looking to earn back his place in the lineup after spending much of this season with Laval of the American Hockey League. For Toronto, 18-year-old forward Nicholas Robertson has been a revelation and is on the cusp of earning a lineup spot. Coach Sheldon Keefe said he was looking to see what Robertson does against NHL opposition.
Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames (10:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, NHL.TV) — The Battle of Alberta will be the perfect way for these teams to get up to speed, introducing a bit of familiarity and ready-made emotion. Each team needs to decide on a starting goalie. Mike Smith (19-12-6, 2.95 goals-against average, .902 save percentage) and Mikko Koskinen (18-13-3, 2.75 GAA, .917 save percentage) should each see action for the Oilers. For Calgary, David Rittich (24-17-6, 2.97 GAA, .907 save percentage) and Cam Talbot (12-10-1, 2.63 GAA, .919 save percentage) are expected to split time. Calgary is looking for a defenseman to replace Travis Hamonic, who opted out of the Return To Play Plan.
Wednesday
Tampa Bay Lightning at Florida Panthers (noon ET; NHLN, FS-F, SUN, NHL.TV) — Forward Steven Stamkos and defenseman Victor Hedman will not play for the Lightning. Stamkos has a lower-body injury and the hope is that he will be ready before the round robin-portion of the Qualifiers. Hedman remained in Tampa to deal with a personal matter and is expected to join the Lightning by Friday. For Florida, top defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who missed the final two practices of training camp, skated Monday but won’t play. Coach Joel Quenneville said Monday Ekblad will be ready for the Qualifiers. Forward Aleksi Saarela has been a revelation during training camp.
Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild (2:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-N, FS-WI, NHL.TV) — All eyes will be on the status of Colorado forward Nathan MacKinnon and defenseman Cale Makar. Each was unfit to play toward the end of training camp but returned to practice Saturday. MacKinnon, who had 93 points (35 goals, 68 assists) in 69 games, is a finalist for the Hart Trophy as the League’s most valuable player and Makar, who had 50 points (12 goals, 38 assists) is a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the League’s best rookie. For the Wild, who will play in goal is their biggest question. Coach Dean Evason says each of the four goalies on the roster has a chance, but the battle is likely between Alex Stalock (20-11-4,2.67 goals-against average, .910 save percentage) and Devan Dubnyk (12-15-2, 2.96 GAA, .890 save percentage).
Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals (4 p.m. ET, NBCSN, FS-CR, NHL.TV) — A rematch of the Eastern Conference First Round from the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Hurricanes upset the Capitals in seven games, this game should bring some instant emotion. There are also questions to be answered. Who will be the backup goalie for the Capitals behind Braden Holtby now that Ilya Samsonov has been ruled out for the postseason? Will it be Pheonix Copley or Vitek Vanacek, each of whom spent the season with Hershey (AHL). Also, will we get extended looks at forward Connor McMichael and defenseman Alex Alexeyev, recent first-round picks who were included on the 31-man roster. Carolina needs to sort out the health of Dougie Hamilton. Trade-acquisition defensemen Sami Vatanen and Brady Skjei should each get a long look in this game.
St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks (6:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN [JIP], NHLN, NBCSP-CH+, FS-MW+) – Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford will be the focus of this battle of intense Central Division rivals. Crawford (16-20-3, 2.77 goals-against average, .917 save percentage) missed all but the last day of training camp because of a positive Covid-19 test. He played 20 minutes in a scrimmage Saturday and the hope is to get him into this game. Forward Vladimir Tarasenko is expected to play for the Blues, his first game action since having surgery on his left shoulder in October.
New York Islanders at New York Rangers (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, TVAS, MSG, MSG+) — Each team has a goalie decision to make. Islanders coach Barry Trotz said he can’t go wrong with whatever decision he makes and plans to use Semyon Varlamov (19-14-6, 2.62 goals-against average, .914 save percentage) and Thomas Greiss (16-9-4, 2.74 GAA, .913 save percentage) in this game. The Rangers have used three goalies this season: Igor Shersterkin, Henrik Lundqvist and Alexandar Georgiev. Shersterkin (10-2-0, 2,52 GAA, .932 save percentage), a late-season addition from the Kontinental Hockey League, is believed to have the inside track to starting in the qualifying series against the Hurricanes, but this could be a final audition for his challengers.
Vancouver Canucks at Winnipeg Jets (10:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, NHL.TV) — Each team has its lineup pretty much set and is relatively healthy. Calder Trophy finalist Quinn Hughes of the Canucks, who had 53 points (eight goals, 45 assists) in 68 games, had a strong camp and it will be interesting to see how much the defenseman has improved since March. Vezina Trophy finalist Connor Hellebuyck (31-21-5, 2.57 goals-against average, .922 save percentage) will be the goalie for the Jets against the Wild, but Laurent Brossoit (6-7-1, 3.28 GAA, .895 save percentage) may get some work because he missed the first four days of training camp.
Thursday
Nashville Predators at Dallas Stars (4 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-SW, FS-TN, NHL.TV) — The Predators are trying to decide whether Pekka Rinne (18-14-4, 3.17 goals-against average, .895 save percentage) or Juuse Saros (17-12-4, 2.70 GAA, .914 save percentage) will be their goalie. Coach John Hynes said Monday that each will play at least a period in the exhibition game. For Dallas, the big question is what to do with Tyler Sequin and Jamie Benn. Dallas’ top two scorers were on separate lines for much of training camp, but the forwards were reunited on Sunday with Seguin as the center and Denis Gurianov the other wing.
Boston Bruins at Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m. ET, NHLN, TVAS, NESN, FS-0, NHL.TV) — Will David Pastrnak play for the Bruins in this game, a rematch from the second round of the 2019 playoffs? The forward practiced with the Bruins for the first time on Monday; he was unfit to practice throughout training camp. Coach Bruce Cassidy said he has the round-robin portion of the Qualifiers to get Pastrnak, who had 95 points (48 goals, 47 assists) up to speed, but the more repetitions he can get his No. 1 line, the better. It’ll be interesting to see what a healthy Columbus lineup with look like. Among those coming back are defenseman Seth Jones and forward Cam Atkinson. Each last played on Feb. 8.
Vegas Golden Knights at Arizona Coyotes (10 p.m. ET; NHLN, FS-A Plus, NHL.TV) — What is the status of Max Pacioretty? The top-six forward missed the final four days of training camp. His presence would alleviate concerns about juggling lines for the round-robin. For Arizona, No. 1 defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who had 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 66 games, should be available after an injury scare during practice on Friday. Coach Rick Tocchet has suggested he will use both his goalies in the tournament and it is likely we will see Darcy Kuemper (16-11-2, 2.22 goals-against average, .928 save percentage) and Antti Raanta (15-14-3, 2.63 GAA, .921 save percentage) each play against the Golden Knights.
