Bruins, Habs fight atop Northeast; Mikkel Boedker does the weather (Puck Previews)

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.

Adam McQuaid cleans out a Canadien, to the delight of that Bruins fan.

Preview: Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins, 7:30 p.m. ET

Imagine if, at the beginning of the season, somebody pointed to the schedule and said this game would be for first place in the Northeast Division. You'd have laughed and said, "Good one, Marc Bergevin." But it is. The Canadiens will be in tough. They've lost two straight, and the Bruins have won five straight at home.

Preview: Phoenix Coyotes at Minnesota Wild, 9 p.m. ET

Coyotes GM Don Maloney thinks his club is right on the cliff of being deadline sellers, with six losses in a row. Could seventgh versus the Wild push them over? Maybe, but there's no shame in losing to Minnesota these days. They've won six straight, and will take back first place of the Northwest with a win. It sounds like Jason LaBarbera will get the start for Phoenix. That's good news for Minny: he's 0-4-0 this season.

Preview: Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames, 10 p.m. ET

Insane stat for the Flames: the home team has won their last 16 games. The Flames have won 7 straight at home and lost 10 straight on the road. That would be a troubling stat if they weren't at home for this one. Also aiding their cause: Colorado hasn't won in 9 straight road games. Pick Calgary, is what I'm saying.

Preview: Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks, 10 p.m. ET

The Ducks are in a skid, with three straight regulation losses. Is this that regression so many predicted? Perhaps, but they're already firmly entrenched in the playoff picture. They just need to steer the ship home. Getting some revenge on the Sharks, who gave them their most recent loss, is a good place to start. Maybe they'll get a boost from Radek Dvorak, who could make his season debut 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

• Mikkel Boedker does the weather for ABC15 in Phoenix, and it's wonderful, from when he takes a shot at the lameness of the Grand Canyon to when he can't find Phoenix and frustratedly mumbles "Jesus" under his breath, to when he gives up and just starts breaking down the cities he has and hasn't visited. I also enjoyed: "Rest of the week, don't really care, we're not here."

• As you'd expect, the Red Wings, Senators, and Panthers lead the NHL in man-games lost to injury. [The Globe & Mail]

• The HP Pavilion, home of the San Jose Sharks, might be getting a new name soon. [Mercury News]

• Could Ryane Clowe be on the move? Pierre LeBrun reports interest from the Bruins, Canadiens, and Canucks. [ESPN]

Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Tim, in our NHL 94 Ron Barr post:

No kidding.

Bold Prediction: Ducks drop their fourth straight.