Puck Previews: Devils go for five straight; Blues try to snap United Center skid
• Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche displays the first step of the newest pop culture phenomenon: Landeskoging [Getty]
Preview: New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. ET. Four straight wins by the Devils have helped them catch the Flyers in the Eastern Conference standings and New Jersey looks to sweep a home-and-home with Philly and move into the fifth seed at the same time. The Flyers knew they were getting Jakub Voracek back tonight, but they learned this morning that Kimmo Timonen will also re-join the lineup. Red-hot Ilya Bryzgalov will be back in net looking to extend his 136:13 shutout streak.
Preview: St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m. ET. The Blues continue to inch closer to their first 100-point season since the 2000-01 campaign, while the Blackhawks try to remain afloat in the bottom eight in the Western Conference. In favor of the Blackhawks is the Blues' 0-3-2 record in their last five games at United Center. In special teams news, Chicago has the NHL's 23rd-ranked power play with a 15.7-percent success rate. The Blues are eighth on the penalty kill at 84.6-percent, but have killed off 47 straight power plays entering tonight.
Preview: San Jose Sharks at Calgary Flames, 9:30 p.m. ET. As the AP notes, the Sharks and Flames were 10 points apart at the beginning of February. Mid-March? San Jose is one point up with a game in-hand. The Sharks stopped a 5-game skid last night with a win over Edmonton, but the Flames enter tonight's tilt winners of their last three. No decision has been made yet, but one of Antti Niemi or Thomas Greiss will be called upon to calm Flames forward Curtis Glencross who's scored in seven straight games.
Evening Reading
• More St. Louis Blues goodness from Sports Illustrated this week, including Kevin Shattenkirk's locker room introduction of their team captain: "At center the best dog rescuer in Houston, David Backes.". [SI]
• Bourne on Sean Avery's retirement: "With Avery, he doesn't need luck, because he doesn't need hockey. In fact, it's almost in the way for him. I admire people with diverse interests, and he obviously fits that mold." [Backhand Shelf]
• Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins forward Steve MacIntyre was handed a 4-game suspension today after going nuts during a game on Sunday. [AHL]
• Why Jack Jablonski wasn't allowed to join his teammates on the ice Saturday for the medal ceremony after they won the Minnesota state championship. [Prep Rally]
Puck Buddy comment of the day: "Das Schutzenfest" on the Buffaslug:
"On the bright side, the slug is a vast improvement upon Trump's 'natural' hair."
Bold prediction: Washington becomes the newest leader of the Southeast Division with a win over the Islanders and a loss by the Panthers to Toronto.
