Battle of Ontario; Blackhawks look to extend streak vs. Avs (Puck Previews)
Back by popular demand, here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished.
Preview: Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET. These teams have split the Battle of Ontario thus far. Good stuff here from PPP on Randy Carlyle coaching myths. Ben Bishop gets the nod for the Sens against James Reimer.
Preview: Colorado Avalanche at Chicago Blackhawks, 8 p.m. ET. Will the first meeting between the teams this season result in the first regulation loss for the Blackhawks? Says Mile High Hockey: “The jig is up, the news is out. Let a new day come. The Hawks will feel like nothing's going right at all. The Avs aren't here to be denied.”
Preview: San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames, 9:30 p.m. ET. Miikka Kiprusoff is back for the Flames, “feeling great.” The Sharks won the first meeting between the two teams, and is seeking a seventh victory in its last nine matchups versus Calgary.
Preview: Phoenix Coyotes at Anaheim Ducks, 10:30 p.m. ET. The Ducks are 8-1-0 at home this season, but Phoenix has defeated them twice in their three straight matchups. It’s likely Mike Smith vs. Jonas Hiller in this one.
Check out previews and updated scores for all of today's games on the Y! Sports NHL scores and scheds page. For tonight's starting goalies, check out Goalie Post.
Evening Reading
Luc Robitaille and Going Postal on today’s podcast. [Marek Vs. Wyshynski]
Not exactly encouraging news about Marty Brodeur’s back from Lou Lamoriello: “It’s a little longer than we thought, but has he had a setback? No, he has not had a setback. It just hasn’t come as quickly and we’re going to make sure it’s perfect.” [Fire and Ice]
One gets the sense the PHT boys didn’t want to engage in the Blackhawks vs. Heat streak debate. [PHT]
“New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal is waiting for the swelling to go down in the area around his right eye before further determination can be made about the extent of his injury, according to his brother, Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal.” [NHL]
Jake Allen is back with the St. Louis Blues, and anyone that saw their collapse against the Kings knows why. [KSDK]
Puck Daddy Reader Comment of the Day: LBJ, on Mooney’s “penalties without hand motions” post:
"Pretty sure the signal for Too Many Men is Tortorella screaming maniacally at Carl Hagelin.”
Bold Prediction: The Ducks turn the tables, win in a shootout with Perry getting the game winner.
