The trio of Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller, and Barrett Hayton proved to be a deadly force on Sunday against Colorado. Will it stick during the regular season?
In Game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Final, New York Rangers head coach Mike Keenan, sensing a momentum shift, paired Alexei Kovalev, Mark Messier, and Adam Graves on the top line of forwards.
The trio were responsible for all four goals, including Messier's third-period natural hat trick, backing up his famous guarantee, eventually carrying them to the Stanley Cup.
While, yes, it was only pre-season, head coach Andre Tourigny put a similar line together of Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller, and Barrett Hayton Sunday night in the 6-3 rout of Colorado.
Guenther was responsible for two goals and an assist, while Hayton played arguably his best exhibition game, according to his coach. Keller also chipped in with some pretty passing on the power play and a goal himself.
It makes you wonder at some point during the season, Tourigny could toss this line out there again, because these guys are fast, they're skilled, and they can score.
Picture it: start a fourth line anchored by Liam O'Brien or Kevin Stenlund, they set the tone, then you bring in the speed.
While it's too early to say if Tourigny would go that route, after the performance we saw Sunday, it is entirely possible.
There's still three pre-season games left starting today, so we will wait and see what Utah decides to do.
Game Day Information: Utah Hockey Club at San Jose Sharks
Tuesday, October 1 at 8:00 p.m. MT; SAP Center
- TV: None, streaming only on UtahHC+ and SEG+; Mike Folta (play-by-play) and Nick Olczyk (color)
- Radio: None