Flames team scope: After Jon Gillies went the distance in Edmonton last night, expect to see Chad Johnson, David Rittich or the two splitting time in net this evening. Johnson, who signed a one-year contract with the Flames in the off-season, has 101 NHL games on his resume. Rittich, who also signed with the club as a free agent this summer, could make his North American debut. The 24-year-old spent the last two seasons with Mlada Boleslav BK in the Czech Republic.
Lance Bouma, Micheal Ferland, Hunter Smith, Luke Adam, Ryan Culkin, and Roman Dyukov, who did not play last night at Rogers Place, could be in the lineup as well.
Jets team scope: The Jets will ice a youth-laden lineup in their pre-season opener, with the likes of Andrew Copp, Joel Armia, JC Lipon, Quinton Howden, and Jack Roslovic up front and Josh Morrissey, Nelson Nogier and Brenden Kichton on the blueline. In net, the Jets will go with the combo of Eric Comrie and Michael Hutchinson. Also expect to see veterans Paul Postma, Shawn Matthias and Anthony Pelusowill also be in the lineup tonight in Winnipeg. Jets head coach Paul Maurice is at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey so assistant coach Jamie Kompon will man the bench for Winnipeg.
