Puck Previews: Brodeur to tie Roy; more Europe talk

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: Montreal Canadiens at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. EST. It's almost fitting that Martin Brodeur(notes) will tie Patrick Roy's record for games played tonight against his boyhood team. Now, if he should post a shutout against the Habs tonight and break Terry Sawchuk's all-time record, the fans at Prudential Center tonight would really get the most out of their tickets. Carey Price(notes) is expected in goal for Montreal as Jaroslav Halak(notes) continues to shy away from questions that he asked Canadiens GM for a trade earlier in the week.

Preview: New York Islanders at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. EST. After an inspiring overtime win against Boston on Saturday, the Islanders fell flat on their faces with a 7-1 stomping by Florida on Monday night. Now with a home-and-home with their hated rivals in the next two days, it's an opportunity for Scott Gordon to get his team back on track.

Preview: Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m. EST. Jason Spezza(notes) is now gone for 6-8 weeks with a torn MCL bringing the number of Ottawa regulars sidelined to five. The Sabres smell blood and enter the game with a four-game win streak and have won eight of their last 10 games. Buffalo will be looking for their first win in Ottawa since March of 2008.

Check out previews and updated scores for all of today's games on the Y! Sports NHL scores and scheds page.

Evening Reading

-Sportsnet reported this morning that Columbus, Boston, Minnesota, Carolina, San Jose, and Phoenix will all start the 2010-11 season in Europe, but a Hurricanes team official said the process is not complete just yet. [Canes Country]

-A second, Canadian-based Winter Classic could be upon us next season. [Fanhouse]

-Can Ty Conklin(notes) play defense? The Bruins announced that they will be without defenseman Mark Stuart(notes) for 4-6 weeks after he suffered a broken sternum Monday night against Philadelphia. [Boston Globe]

-Sharks radio play-by-play man Dan Rusanowsky asks questions in light of Montreal's lineup error last week. Thanks to PD reader Dustin for sending this in [Sharks]

Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Who doesn't love a good movie reference around here? Helm's Deep posed a question in today's Winter Classic post:

Bold Prediction: Martin Brodeur doesn't shutout Montreal and Anaheim knocks off the Canucks.