Team Canada made a few tweaks to its line combos Tuesday at the team’s second practice.
Ducks power duo Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry skated on a line with divisional rival Patrick Marleau of the Sharks after being flanked by Islanders star John Tavares at the team’s first practice.
Tavares was moved to a line centring Jamie Benn of the Stars and Bruins shutdown man Patrice Bergeron. On day one, Bergeron centred Benn and Marleau.
The trio of Kunitz–Crosby–Carter stayed intact, as did the Nash–Toews–Sharp line, while there appeared to be no changes on the blue line.
On special teams, winger Patrick Sharp was seen practising on the point alongside Blackhawks teammate Duncan Keith. Sharp regularly plays on the point during Chicago power plays. Sharp has 58 points in 60 games this season, including eight goals and 11 assists with the man advantage.
It’s expected that Lightning veteran Martin St. Louis and Avalanche standout Matt Duchene will alternate in and out of the lineup as the team’s 13th forward.
St. Louis, who was named a replacement for the injured Steven Stamkos, ranks 12th in NHL scoring with 56 points in 58 games. Duchene, the youngest member of Team Canada, has 50 points in 55 games.
Mike Babcock has still not revealed which goalie will get the start in the first game, but Roberto Luongo and Carey Price are expected to split the first two games. Canada opens its tournament Thursday against Norway.
Here’s a look at Team Canada’s most recent line combos:
Forwards
Chris Kunitz – Sidney Crosby – Jeff Carter
Patrick Marleau – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Rick Nash – Jonathan Toews – Patrick Sharp
Jamie Benn – John Tavares – Patrice Bergeron
Extras: Martin St. Louis, Matt Duchene
Defence
Duncan Keith – Shea Weber
Jay Bouwmeester – Alex Pietrangelo
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Drew Doughty
Extras: P.K. Subban, Dan Hamhuis
Goalies
Roberto Luongo
Carey Price
Mike Smith
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