Puck Previews: Blues hosts Wing; Heatley, Setoguchi visit Sharks
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.
Alice Cooper sported a No. 18 "COOPER" Philadelphia Flyers jersey during a recent stop at the House of Blues in Atlantic City during his "No More Mr. Nice Guy" tour. We're going to give Alice a "Pass" for his Jersey Foul, only because of his performance in "Wayne's World". [CP Images]
Preview: Detroit Red Wings at St. Louis Blues, 7:30 p.m. ET. Considering the way things have gone for the Red Wings this season, they're about to embark on a several-game losing streak beginning tonight against the Blues. Detroit's season so far: win five, lose six, win four, lose two, win seven. Jimmy Howard will face Brian Elliott, who's coming off his first loss in seven starts for St. Louis. The Blues are looking to avoid losing three games in a row for the first time this year.
Preview: Los Angeles Kings at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET. Terry Murray goes for his 500th win as an NHL coach, while Bruce Boudreau is still looking for his first as head coach of the Ducks. Willie Mitchell, along with Mike Richards, will be out for the Kings, meanwhile Boudreau had a conversation with a very frustrated Jonas Hiller as the Ducks, winners of one game in their last 10, try to reverse their fortunes.
Preview: Minnesota Wild at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. ET. Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi return to the Bay Area, while Brent Burns faces off against his old team for the first time as a Shark for the second time as a Shark. The pair of Wild players have helped pace the team to a franchise-best 17-7-3 start, good enough for No. 1 in the NHL. San Jose, losers of three of their last four, try to notch their first win on a four game homestand. Antti Niemi is expected to start and is 4-0-0 against the Wild in his career.
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 Left Wing Lock.
Evening Reading
• Apparently the Buffalo Sabres official Twitter feed is not a fan of the 2-game suspension for Jordin Tootoo. [@SabresDotCom (now deleted)]
• Roy McGregor on fighting and hockey in the wake of the New York Times story on Derek Boogaard. [Globe & Mail]
• Take the quiz and find out if your favorite team should fire their coach. [Down Goes Brown]
• Dale Hunter, the Washington Capitals, and scoring chances. [The Hockey Writers]
• Hey, Penguins fans inside CONSOL Energy Center: Wake up! [Pensburgh]
• Ken Campbell on the NHL's unfinished realignment plan. [The Hockey News]
Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: "J.C. Hinds" on Lambert vs. Steigerwald:
"Sorry, but the only radio battles allowed at the workplace are epic rap battles. Can't listen."
*drops the mic*
Bold Prediction: The Sharks spoil Heatley and Setoguchi's returns with a 3-2 win in OT. Joe Pavelski -- who else -- gets the game winner.
