Puck Previews: Neuvirth, Emery get starts; Avs shake up lines
Back by popular demand, 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.
Dale Weise relaxed on his invisible couch.
Preview: Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET. Are we done talking about Alex Ovechkin being on the Capitals' bench during their tying goal on Tuesday night? OK, good. Washington visits the RBC Center which has been kind to the home Hurricanes. Carolina has won three of their last four at home. Michal Neuvirth gets the start after Caps coach Bruce Boudreau noted Tomas Vokoun's troubles against the Canes last season.
Preview: Chicago Blackhawks at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. ET. Another team playing well at home are the Lightning. Winners of their last three at St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa swept the Blackhawks in their two meetings last season. Ray Emery gets the nod in goal for Chicago and Duncan Keith will miss his second straight game with a hand injury.
Preview: Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars, 8:30 p.m. ET. Two of the NHL's earliest surprises meet with the Stars off to their best start since 2006. Despite being outshot in seven games so far, Dallas has won six of them behind goaltender Kari Lehtonen who was the NHL's Second Star of the Month in October. Colorado comes in clicking on the power play converting eight of their last 14 chances on the road, but have struggled to score potting just five goals in their last five games. Looking to find a spark, head coach Joe Sacco moved Matt Duchene up to the top line with Paul Stastny and Milan Hejduk.
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
• Y! Sports' Nick Cotsonika on the Ottawa Senators' recent hot streak and what's wrong with the Detroit Red Wings.
• On Ducks prospect Emerson Etem, who's started the season with 22 goals in 16 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers. [Buzzing the Net]
• The fallout from a Manitoba Junior Hockey League hazing scandals continues with the players involved apologizing and the head coach and GM resigning. [CTV]
• University of Alabama-Huntsville fans are holding a rally tonight to try and save the hockey program. [WAAY TV]
• Mirtle askes when Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson should deserve a contract extension. [Globe & Mail]
Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: "McKenl33" on the Devils' potential bankruptcy:
With the crappy and troubling economy going strong, it is a bigger surprise more teams aren't in deeper debt. Professional sports are next in line to see how bad things are when the average household barely has enough money to pay basic bills. That last industry was food, and just look at how many restaurants have closed due to no patronage. Shelling out $$ for sporting events is a huge luxury nowadays.
Bold Prediction: Ray Emery blanks the Lightning 3-0.
