USA's Byfuglien, Palmieri scratched vs. Europe
Greg Bartram / USA TODAY Sports
Head coach John Tortorella has settled on a lineup for Saturday's World Cup opener against Europe.
Both Dustin Byfuglien and Kyle Palmieri will serve as healthy scratches, USA's bench boss confirmed a couple hours before puck drop.
Tortorella says lineup decisions no knock on Byfuglien, Palmieri. "It's just the way it worked out. Could change as go through." #WCH2016
— Terry Koshan (@koshtorontosun) September 17, 2016
Palmieri was held pointless in two pre-tournament appearances, and Byfuglien did not register a point in three games while being bounced between defense and right wing.
The decisions are interesting, to be sure.
Dustin Byfuglien was the top scoring American defenseman in the NHL last season. Kyle Palmieri scored 30 goals.
— Nick Cotsonika (@cotsonika) September 17, 2016