World Cup of Hockey Exhibition Games Gamethread: 9/13/16

Where: Verizon Center, Washington DC

When: 7pm EST

Where to Watch: ESPN proper! You don't have to use a stream! It is also on Sportsnet

Any Bruins Playing?: America sends David Backes to play in tonight's game, presumedly playing with James Van Reimsdyk and Brandon Dubinsky. It'll be known closer to game time whether or not  Tuukka Rask will start for the Finns.

Should You Watch?: This is the first game on ESPN proper, so for the novelty of that alone you should be interested in watching. On top of that, this is the final time you will get to see Team USA and Team Finland in an exhibition game before these games actually count for something. On top of that, we're seeing an as of yet unique matchup for the tournament, so the novelty of these two playing each other is there.

On top of that, Team USA's hit-heavy attack plan should be an interesting to the smooth skating and cycling Finland has been displaying lately and exposing the two to each other ought to be an interesting mix.

Projected Finnish Lines:

Jussi Jokinen - Aleksander Barkov - Patrik Laine

Leo Komarov - Mikko Koivu - Mikael Granlund

Joonas Donskoi - Jori Lehtera - Teuvo Teravainen

Erik Haula - Valtteri Filppula - Lauri Korpikoski

Olli Maata - Sami Vatanen

Esa Lindell - Rasmus Ristolainen

Jyrkki Jokipakka - Sami Lepisto

Pekka Rinne/Tuukka Rask

And the Projected US lines are here:

Max Pacioretty - Joe Pavelski - Patrick Kane

Zach Parise - Derek Stepan - Blake Wheeler

Justin Abdelkader - Ryan Kesler (lol probably not) - TJ Oshie

James Van Reimsdyk - David Backes - Dustin Byfuglien because sure why not

Matt Niskanen - Ryan McDonagh

Ryan Suter - John Carlson

Jack Johnson - Erik Johnson

Ben Bishop/Jonathan Quick

This will be updated as it gets closer to game time.

So, what's on tap? I know I got a brand new bottle of Appleton Estates rum. mmm, mmm....Rum.