Mike Matheson is one of three veterans expected to sit out tonight’s game

This morning's practice gave us some clues.

Since Mike Matheson, Josh Anderson, and Phillip Danault stayed behind for extra practice, we expect them to sit out tonight.

That would mean Kaiden Guhle would play, along with Adam Engstrom, Joe Veleno, and Brendan Gallagher.

Everything points to Mike Matheson, Josh Anderson, and Phillip Danault being left out tonight.

They worked extra time after practice, along with Fowler and Montembeault.

Engstrom, Veleno, and Gallagher are expected to play.

Jakub Dobes is the starting goaltender.@RDSca

— Patrick Friolet (@PFrioletRDS) April 14, 2026

Basically, Matheson is a veteran who logs a ton of minutes, and the other two are physically banged up. The thinking is likely that it's better to prepare them for a potential Game 1 on the road rather than push them to start at home.

If the playoffs had already started, they'd surely be playing.

The two forwards can be replaced relatively easily. But taking Mike Matheson away from a team that's already playing without Noah Dobson is a big deal, though.

It won't be as drastic as in Philly, though, where five guys were called up.

Details to follow…