Vanecek will finally get his chance to make his first start with the New Jersey Devils Saturday after backing up in their opener. Vanecek was traded to New Jersey in the offseason after posting 20 wins in 39 starts off the back of a .908 SV% and 2.67 GAA.

Bobrovsky will lead the Panthers on opening night as they take on the Islanders in New York. Bobrovsky tied Andrei Vasilevskiy for the league lead in wins (39) in 2021-22 while getting 53 starts for the President's Trophy (122 Pts) winners in Florida who also led all NHL teams in goals for (337). His .913 SV% was his highest totals in three seasons.

Kiersted was not on the ice for Monday's practice, leaving the Panthers with just five defensemen in practice. Expect Kiersted to skate next to Radko Gudas, if he plays vs. the Islanders. Kiersted has one goal and one assist in 17 career NHL games.

Kahkonen will get the second of the back-to-back starts for the Global Series in Prague. The 26-year-old will get his first nod between the crease this season after posting a .916 SV% and 2.86 GAA across 16 games after getting dealt to the Sharks' at the trade deadline in 2021-22.

Sturm missed the Sharks' final preseason game with an undisclosed injury but is a "full go" for the first game of the season, according to head coach David Quinn. Sturm, who had nine goals and 11 assists (20 points) in 74 games last season, will make his Sharks debut on the fourth line with Jonah Gadjovich and Steven Lorentz on his wings.

Marchand had surgery on both hips in May with an expected recovery timeline of approximately six months. That would put Marchand on track to return around American Thanksgiving. Expect the Bruins to roll with a top line of Taylor Hall, David Krejci and David Pastrnak while Marchand is out. He should miss roughly 20-to-25 games.

The Panthers selected Nause in the second-round (No.56 overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. The 19-year-old led all Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) defensemen with 46 points (8G / 38A) in 59 games in 2022.