Puck Previews: Miller vs. Brodeur; Ovechkin's back
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: New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. EST. Possibly an Olympic preview in the nets tonight at HSBC Arena as Ryan Miller(notes) and Martin Brodeur(notes) are expected to square off against one another. Looking past the Olympics and at the Stanley Cup, Sabres legend Gilbert Perreault told the Buffalo News he likes what he sees: "They have a good chance to go all the way. I really think so. I don't want to put a lot of pressure on them but they have a very good team. There's a lot of excitement to watching them."
Preview: Washington Capitals at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. EST. Alex Ovechkin(notes) returns from his two-game suspension and to the scene of his "hot stick" celebration from last season. Washington has scored 14 goals in Ovechkin's absence, so Lightning starter Mike Smith(notes) should prepare himself for the peppering he'll receive. The Capitals are looking for their 12th straight win over Tampa Bay.
Preview: Calgary Flames at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. EST. Calgary looks to continue their road dominance and finish their six-game road trip by taking 10 out of a possible 12 points. Miikka Kiprusoff(notes), fresh off a 2-1 win in San Jose, will be back between the pipes for the Flames. Rob Scuderi(notes) will be back after suffering a sprained ankle that has kept him out of action since November 14th. Watch this game live on Y! Sports.
Check out previews and updated scores for all of today's games on the Y! Sports NHL scores and scheds page.
Evening Reading
-Don't forget about our "Create a Winter Classic Parade Float" contest. One early entry from Mark M. really captures the idea:
-Former Flyers coach John Stevens on his firing: "When you coach, you always think you can get things done, but we had stumbled of late, and when I pull back and look at it, I can certainly understand" the firing." [Philadelphia Inquirer]
-Sid the Kid is back for the Penguins after sitting out Saturday's game with a sore groin. [Penguins]
-Despite the disasterous debut, Ray Ferraro believes Peter Laviolette is a good fit for the Flyers. [TSN]
-Brian Burke says he'd like to have Team USA's roster finalized by December 16. The names won't be released until January 1 during the Winter Classic. [NHL.com]
-The on-ice officials were named today by the International Ice Hockey Federation for the men's and women's Olympic tournaments. Seven NHL officials will be heading to Vancouver including Bill McCreay and Paul Devorski. [IIHF]
Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: There's one NHL head coach who won't be part of Jerk Store's Winter Classic contest entry:
"I dont think theres enough helium in the world to float a Barry Trotz balloon."
Bold Prediction: An "angry" Ovechkin nets two as the Caps blank Tampa 4-0.
