Puck Previews: Ottawa is Flyer kryptonite; Vokoun vs. Florida

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.

Preview: Carolina Hurricanes at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET.

After starting the season 0-2-1, the Hurricanes staged their first win of the season against Boston last week, and they'll be angling for a repeat performance Tuesday night. The Bruins will once again be without David Krejci, meaning Tyler Seguin's audition as a first line center continues, Don't be fooled Seguin he looks better than Eric Staal. Right now, it doesn't take much: Staal's gone pointless in four of five games and is an NHL-worst minus-8.

Preview: Florida Panthers at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET.

Tomas Vokoun faces his old team as the Panthers come to town, looking to continue their winning ways. They'll be in tough, not just because of Vokoun, but because the Capitals don't appear eager to begin losing. They're 4-0-0.

Preview: Dallas Stars at Columbus Blue Jackets, 7 p.m. ET.

The Stars' best game of the early season was their last contest versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, a sentence that they're hoping can be recycled for tomorrow's paper. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are still winless, and now they may be Jeff Carter-less as well. The centre is doubtful with a hairline fracture to his right foot.

Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins at Minnesota Wild, 7:30 p.m. ET.

How bad is the Pittsburgh Penguins' three-game losing streak? They lost to the Winnipeg Jets last night. Mix in the fact that Evgeni Malkin, Tyler Kennedy and, of course, Sidney Crosby are all out, as well the Wild's streak of four straight victories over Pittsburgh, and Minnesota is feeling good about its chances.

Preview: Buffalo Sabres at Montreal Canadiens, 7:30 p.m. ET.

Carey Price has been stuck on 99 wins for two games now. Will the Sabres generously roll over and hand it to him? No, they'll probably try their hardest, which could make it difficult on a Habs team that's missing Jaroslav Spacek and Michael Cammalleri. But watch closely if Price does manage to get the W because, at 100 wins, he evolves like a Pokemon.

Preview: Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m. ET.

This one seems fairly predictable, no? The Flyers still don't have a regulation loss in four games, and the Senators have only one win in five. Furthermore, the Flyers are good and the Senators are not. However, the Philadelphia has lost seven straight at Scotiabank Place. It must be the inspirational effects of Danny Baker's psych-up song.

Preview: Edmonton Oilers at Calgary Flames, 9:30 p.m. ET.

The Battle of Alberta doesn't quite leave one tingling with excitement like it used to, but there's still plenty on the line for the provincial rivals. Namely: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. If the Flames can make him look bad, the Red Deer Rebels might get him back. That would be very helpful for the junior club, who just happen to be owned by Flames' coach Brent Sutter. If I'm Sutter, I'm putting Jay Bouwmeester on Nugent-Hopkins all night. Actually, that might be counterproductive.

Preview: New York Rangers at Vancouver Canucks, 10:00 p.m. ET.

Ryan Kesler returns for a Canucks team that's looked woefully Kesler-less through its first five games. He'll line up with rookie Cody Hodgson and Chris "Kiss Huggins" Higgins, the snuggly winger that just wants to hold you. Kesler's return also reunites last season's best powerplay, which is bad news for a Rangers team that's averaging over 20 penalty minutes per game.

Preview: Chicago Blackhawks at Phoenix Coyotes, 10:00 p.m. ET.

What's the difference between Marian Hossa and the people of Phoenix? Hossa likes visiting Glendale. The Blackhawks' forward has at least a point in each of his past six trips to Jobing.com Arena, and he should be in the lineup tonight after missing the Hawks' last game with a shoulder injury. Jason LaBarbera gets the start for the Yotes.

Preview: St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings

The LA Kings stage their home opener -- seriously, how in the world are we still doing home openers? -- against a St. Louis Blues team that's had a shaky start to the season. But Blues fans should be optimistic about their chances to overcome the Kings and the home crowd's energy: Jaroslav Halak is 5-0-0 versus Los Angeles in his career.

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

• Chuck Kobasew is in the middle of a career resurgence in Colorado. [CBC.ca]

• Did you know the Minnesota Wild were almost called the Blue Ox? Yeah. The origins of all 30 team nicknames. [Mental Floss]

• 93-year-old Robert Dumouchelle remembers a time when hockey was... a gentler sport? What? Who saw this as fit to print? [Windsor Star]

• Court proceedings to prosecute Vancouver rioters are finally slated to begin. [UPI]

• And finally, via Reddit Hockey, here's Kris Letang showing off his volleyball skills over and over:

Bold prediction: Tomas Vokoun posts a shutout against his former team.