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: Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames, 9:30 p.m. EST. Calgary begins the night five points behind the (wow) first-place Avalanche. Craig Anderson(notes) gets the start for Colorado. The Flames are 5-1 at home while the Avalanche are 5-1-2 on the road. Nice game-day preview from Matchsticks and Gasoline. Watch The Game Live on Yahoo! Sports.

Preview: New York Rangers at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. EST. Marian Gaborik(notes) has been ruled out for tonight's game due to his "undisclosed injury that has nothing to do with those other injuries that he had so quit yer bellyaching." Chris Botta reports that good seats are available for this rivalry game at Nassau.

Preview: Buffalo Sabres at New Jersey Devils, 7 p.m. EST. The Devils will be without defenseman Paul Martin(notes) and winger Jay Pandolfo(notes), who are both on the shelf for about a month. Left wing Andrew Peters(notes), the former Sabres pugilist, is a healthy scratch for the Devils. He told Fire & Ice: "There's no more disappointment just because it's Buffalo. It's disappointing when you don't play, but that comes with my role." Whatever you say. Watch The Game Live on Yahoo! Sports.

Check out previews for the other seven games this evening on the Y! Sports scores and scheds page.

Evening Reading

• Oren Koules needs a new playmate, as Miami Beach investor Jeff Greene has dropped his bid to invest in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Said Greene in a press release: "After doing our final analysis, the numbers did not work for us." Yowch. [Bolts Report, and much more from Raw Charge]

• Kyle Calder(notes) gets a one-year deal from the Anaheim Ducks, and is sent to the Ducks' minor-league affiliate in Bakersfield. [AP]

• Simon Gagne(notes) will need surgery to repair two hernias in his right groin area, but he's seeking a second opinion. There was just something a little off about the Philadelphia Flyers attack last night up front. Not sure if it's Gagne's absence, but this is a big loss depending on the rehab time. [Gormley]

• Rob Scuderi(notes) apologies for what his coach says was an innocent hockey play against Jason Chimera(notes). [LA Kings Insider]

• Dr. Diablo chats with Atlanta Thrashers rookie Evander Kane(notes). Favorite movie? "I'm a big fan of 'Rush Hour 2', 'Happy Gilmore', 'Dumb and Dumber'. I like goofy comedy movies I guess (smiling)." [NYC Sports Network]

• NHL players are encouraged not to open-mouth kiss each others share water bottles. [CP]

Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Jerseyleaf on the Leafs fan who became a Stars fan after selling his loyalty on eBay:

"Nobody's a Stars fan for life. Just ask the state of Minnesota."

Bold Prediction: Hal Gill(notes) has more points than PIMs against the Pittsburgh Penguins.