Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune has released [11] the roster for the Tampa Bay Lightning's only pre-season home game Friday night against the Atlanta Thrashers. 2009 1st round draft picks Victor Hedman [12] and Carter Ashton [13] highlight six prospects that will get important starts in a star-filled lineup in front of an expectant home crowd. After playing 27+ minutes against Dallas Wednesday night, Hedman will get a chance to showcase why he was the #2 overall pick this summer. Ashton will line up on right wing alongside franchise center Vincent Lecavalier [14] and Alex Tanguay [15] on what presumes to be Tampa's top line. A heady start for the young power forward whom most believe is headed back Lethbridge for one more year of juniors. Forwards Paul Szczechura [16], Richard Panik [17] and Blair Jones [18] get their second consecutive starts after playing Wednesday against the Stars. Jones tallied the go-ahead goal in the third period before the Bolts succumbed to a shootout loss. Prospect goaltender phenom Dustin Tokarski [19] will relieve Mike Smith [20] for the third period and demonstrate to the home crowd as to why he won the 2008 Memorial Cup.
The expected forward lines for Friday's game are:
Alex Tanguay - Vincent Lecavalier - Carter Ashton
Ryan Malone [21] - Steven Stamkos [22] - Martin St. Louis [23]
Stephane Veilleux [24] - Paul Szczechura - Richard Panik
Zenon Konopka [25] - Ryan Craig [26] - Blair Jones
Joining Hedman on the blueline for a second straight game are David Hale [27], Kurtis Foster [28], and Mike Lundin [29]. Mattias Ohlund [30] will be making his Lightning debut and Lukas Krajicek [31] rounds out the Bolt defensive corps. Joining Tokarski in net is Lightning #1 goalie Mike Smith in his first game action since a concussion prematurely ended his 2008-09 season.