Previews: Whiteout in Phoenix; Quebec reps meet with Bettman

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: Columbus Blue Jackets (2-1-0) at Phoenix Coyotes (2-1-0), 9 p.m EST.

Despite a rough summer, the Coyotes have sold out their home opener tonight, which will also feature the popular "Whiteout". If history repeats itself, Phoenix will take home a victory as they've won their previous five home openers as well as defeating the Blue Jackets in all four meetings last season. Mathieu Garon(notes) will start in goal for Columbus.

Preview: Washington Capitals (2-1-1) at Detroit Red Wings (1-2-0), 7 p.m. EST.

A Stanley Cup preview perhaps? It's Detroit's first game since the news of Johan Franzen's(notes) torn ACL broke, which will keep him out of action for four months. That's 34 goals that the Red Wings will need to replace. This might be the opportunity Ville Leino(notes) needs to break out. Oh, and forget about those Brendan Shanahan rumors. We all know how lethal the Washington offense is, but through the first four games their defense has been porous, allowing 15 goals, something which Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau touched on during a feisty post-game press conference on Thursday. Only the Calgary Flames have let in more goals with 17.

Preview: Anaheim Ducks (1-1-0) at Philadelphia Flyers (3-1-0), 7 p.m. EST.

Birthday boy Chris Pronger(notes) welcomes his former teammates into Wachovia Center and if the former Ducks blue liner keeps to his "no love for former teammates" trend --as he showed with Chris Kunitz(notes) at the end of Thursday's Flyers-Pittsburgh Penguins game-- then Anaheim might want to keep their heads up tonight. The Ducks entered tonight's game coming off a 6-1 rout of the Boston Bruins after allowing eight goals in their first two games.

Preview: New York Islanders (0-0-2) at Boston Bruins (1-2-0), 7 p.m. EST.

Preview: Atlanta Thrashers (2-0-0) at Ottawa Senators (2-1-0), 7 p.m. EST.

Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins (3-1-0) at Toronto Maple Leafs (0-2-1), 7 p.m. EST.

Preview: New Jersey Devils (1-2-0) at Florida Panthers (1-2-0), 7 p.m. EST.

Preview: Carolina Hurricanes (2-2-0) at Tampa Bay Lightning (0-2-1), 7:30 p.m. EST.

Preview: Buffalo Sabres (1-0-1) at Nashville Predators (2-0-0), 7:30 p.m. EST.

Preview: Los Angeles Kings (2-1-0) at St. Louis Blues (2-1-0), 8 p.m. EST.

Preview: Colorado Avalanche (2-1-1) at Chicago Blackhawks (1-1-1), 8:30 p.m. EST.

Preview: Montreal Canadiens (2-2-0) at Edmonton Oilers (1-1-1), 10 p.m. EST.

Preview: Minnesota Wild (1-2-0) at San Jose Sharks (2-2-0), 10:30 p.m. EST.

Evening Reading

-Despite some claims, the UFL's opener did not beat out the NHL on VERSUS. [Puck the Media]

-The former owner of the Quebec Nordiques met with Gary Bettman on Friday to talk about bringing the NHL back to Quebec City. I'm all for bringing back those beautiful Nordiques jerseys. Much better than those wannabe-expansion Toronto Legacy. [Montreal Gazette]

-Jim Boone of the NHL Fans' Association describes the No. 1 concern from his members: the low-quality TV exposure in the United States. [The Hockey News]

-Schultz calls for an end to the NHL's latest epidemic: biting. [Fanhouse]

-Minnesota head coach promise no more Mr. Nice Guy if the Wild don't turn things around. [Star Tribune]

-Despite having the captain's 'C' stripped from him over the summer, Patrick Marleau(notes) hasn't changed. [Mercury News]

-Daniel Sedin(notes) is suffering from a bruised foot. Before he can be further diagnosed, the Canucks must wait for the swelling to go down. [Faceoff.com]

Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: From ryan91atk:

This comment, of course, posted on a hockey blog.

Bold Prediction: The Nashville Predators will beat the Sabres and be the NHL's only remaining undefeated team by the end of the night.