Head coach Andre Tourigny spoke with the media at Thursday's morning skate about line-up changes, injuries, and the current four-game road trip.
Andre Tourigny and New York Islanders coach Patrick Roy have been good friends for many years.
That friendship will be on the back burner as the Utah Hockey Club (1-0-0) looks to get their first-ever road win against the Isles tonight at UBS Arena.
The club is coming off a 5-2 win in their memorable inaugural game against Chicago Tuesday in front of a record crowd of 16,020 at Delta Center, which Tourigny credited the veterans for keeping the team even in an emotional environment.
Now the focus shifts to a four-game road trip which will see Utah play all three East Coast metropolitan teams, then make a cross-country flight to Anaheim to face the Ducks in Southern California.
"I think it's good to get on the road all together," Tourigny said. "To have time together off the ice and bond, especially this early in the season, it's always good."
He'll also get to test out a new lineup tonight as forward Michael Carcone will make his season debut after being a healthy scratch Tuesday against the 'Hawks.
To make room, forward Liam O'Brien will rotate out, while defenceman John Marino remains in Utah for treatment and center Nick Bjugstad is still "weeks" from playing again, though he is skating in separate drills.
"Winning tonight, that's the only thing we can do," Tourigny added. "We don't want to look past this one. We have to win the day."
Game Day: Utah Hockey Club at New York Islanders
Thursday, October 10 at 5:30 p.m. MT; UBS Arena
TV: KUPX Utah 16
Streaming: UtahHC+/SEG+ locally; ESPN+ nationally (blacked out in Utah HC broadcast area)
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Radio: 97.5 FM/1280 AM The KSL Sports Zone
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Read more facts on tonight's game here:
Watch Andre Tourigny's full morning skate press conference here: