Thompson finished the preseason tied for the team lead in points with four, registering one goal and three assists in five appearances.
"Obviously (I came in expecting) to make the team," Thompson said. "If you don't have that mindset, you've already lost. You have to come in and be confident in yourself, believe in yourself. If you don't, you're not going to make it. I had that belief right from the beginning."
Thompson skated on a line with Magnus Paajarvi and Oskar Sundqvist in the morning skate at PPG Paints Arena, so it's expected that's where he'll be for the start of the game tonight.
Defensively, Vince Dunn is expected to also make his NHL debut. An injury to Jay Bouwmeester (fractured ankle) in training camp created an opportunity for a young defenseman to make the roster for opening night, and Dunn seized it.
"I had a good camp, a good summer, I put in a lot of work. The nerves are out of the way now, it's just time to look forward," Dunn said. "I'm looking forward to my first shift, my first game. There's still a lot to learn, but I'm happy to be part of the team."
Dunn, who was paired with Robert Bortuzzo in today's morning skate, edged out defenseman Jake Walman for the open spot.
"His play without the puck was the difference," Yeo said. "Both (Dunn and Walman) had their moments with the puck, and both showed at different times they have some learning to do. Without the puck, 'Dunner' was a little more solid and a little bit more steady and reliable and consistent with that."
The rest of the projected lineup for opening night looks like this:
