Nikolay Kulemin skated on the top-line in practice on Friday, but the Islanders are going to give Conacher another chance to play with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. However, Kulemin will be moved to that line if Conacher is not playing well.

A day after skating on the Islanders top-line, Kulemin was back on the second line this morning; with Cory Conacher moving back to the first line with John Tavares. Kulemin will start the game on the second line, but will move up in Conacher struggles.

Heading into training camp everyone wondered who would be the third man on this line. A lot of people picked Brock Nelson as the man who would fill the role. Some thought maybe Ryan Strome would get the nod, or even Josh Bailey. But, it will be Conacher who will start there on opening night. "It's pretty special," Conacher said about the opportunity to play on the top line. "I've gotten this opportunity before, in Tampa when I first started my career, and I just have to try to take advantage of this opportunity." Conacher is a speedy winger who is a definite fantasy sleeper heading into the season, but like he said he needs to take advantage of the opportunity he has been given.

Conacher along with a fourth-round pick was sent to the Senators for Ben Bishop last season. Bishop has been amazing this season, while Conacher has struggled severely and now finds himself in Buffalo. The 24-year-old spent four years at nearby Canisius College, so this is a bit of a homecoming for Conacher. He recorded four goals and 16 assists (20 points) in 60 games with Ottawa this season.

I wonder if the Senators are rethinking the Ben Bishop for Conacher trade right now? Bishop is 18-5-2 with a 1.96 GAA and .934 SV% while Conacher is scratched for the second time in the last eight games and has two goals and six assists in 35 games.

Conacher was a healthy scratch after recording just one assist in his last 10 games. After being acquired from Tampa Bay for goaltender Ben Bishop, Conacher has just four goals and six assists (10 points) in 41 games with Ottawa. Before he was traded he had 24 points in 35 games with the Lightning. He was expected to compete for a top-6 job at the start of the season, but that has not developed. He will likely skate on the fourth line with Mika Zibanejad and Matt Kassian, while Mike Hoffman takes a seat.

Conacher played on the Senators top line on Tuesday, resulting in him scoring and Spezza recording a hattrick.

Conacher will be a healthy scratch tonight as Mark Stone moves into the lineup. He has three goals and 31 penalty minutes in seven games in the playoffs.

OTTAWA (7) vs. PITTSBURGH (1) MUST-STARTS Ottawa: Erik Karlsson, Craig Anderson, Daniel Alfredsson Pittsburgh: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Kris Letang, Chris Kunitz, Jarome Iginla SLEEPERS Ottawa: Kyle Turris, Sergei Gonchar, Milan Michalek, Cory Conacher Pittsburgh: Brenden Morrow, Paul Martin, Jussi Jokinen, Tomas Vokoun read more

Conacher got off to a hot start in Tampa Bay posting 18 points in his first 21 games. However he has slowed down lately recording just six points in his last 14 games. His nine goals and 24 points will lead the Senators in each category.