Puck Previews: Canucks host Hawks; Habs host Canes
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.
Roberto Luongo and Andrew Brunette play a quick game of Jenga during a stoppage in play.
Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens, 7 p.m. ET.
As far as I'm concerned, a streak starts at three, so the Habs look to start a home winning streak tonight versus a Carolina Hurricanes team that's lost five of their last six. Keep an eye on the Canadiens' blueline, which could be without Andrei Markov (knee), Chris Campoli (leg), Hal Gill (illness) and Jaroslav Spacek (foot).
Preview: Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver Canucks, 10 p.m. ET.
The best rivalry in all of hockey continues as the Blackhawks look to exact some measure of revenge for a 6-2 home ice loss to the Canucks two weeks ago, as well as a Game 7 overtime loss to Vancouver the last time they were in town. Roberto Luongo will miss this one with either an upper- or lower-body injury, depending on who you talk to, and Dave Bolland returns to the lineup after missing three games with a sore right foot.
Preview: Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. ET
The Ducks have lost eight of their last nine, so it's probably safe to say they're hoping to win tonight. They'll be in tough. Not only are the Kings also hoping to turn it around, but they appear to have started, breaking out offensively by dropping five on the Minnesota Wild Saturday. Looks like Jonas Hiller vs. Jonathan Quick in goal.
Evening Reading
• This Blackhawks fan feels he has failed as a sports parent. He may have. [Awkward Sandwich]
• Jaromir Jagr, on Claude Giroux: "I think he's the top — I don't want to say he's the best right now in the league, but he's top three for sure. I never thought at the end of my career I was going to play with a guy like that. And that's what's made me happy." [CSN Philly]
• Cody Hodgson sounds like a huge nerd. [PITB]
• After the death of Kyle Fundytus, Hockey Canada wants to teach proper shot-blocking technique at a younger age. [Calgary Herald]
Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Cahramrod, on the plushie flash mob in today's Puck Headlines:
Pink-bunny Chara wasn't invited to the plushy flashmob???
Bold Prediction: A high-offense shootout at the Staples Centre, followed by the other, less awesome kind of shootout.
