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: Los Angeles Kings at Phoenix Coyotes, 9 p.m. EST. Second place in the Pacific Division is up for grabs between two of the League's most surprising teams. The Kings' special teams have been aces in two previous meetings (1-1) against the Yotes. Of course, none of that matters now that the NHL owns Phoenix and will fix all its games and stuff.

Preview: Edmonton Oilers at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. EST. If this were 1983, we'd watch this instead of watching the World Series. Aw, who are we kidding: We're still watching this instead of watching the World Series. The Isles are 4-1-2 in their last seven. Wonder if the Tambellini's have a friendly father/son wager.

Evening Reading

• Elliotte Friedman offers more analysis on that brutal hit on Ben Fanelli. [CBC Sports, and the hit is here.]

• From the Washington Capitals: "Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin(notes) suffered an upper-body strain in Sunday evening's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets and his status is week-to-week, the team determined Monday. ... He was examined and treated by the team's medical staff and underwent an MRI exam on Monday. The two-time reigning most valuable player will travel with the Capitals this week to continue to receive medical treatment." Week-to-week is a very strange term. Is that a gentleman's way of saying "month"?

• Wolverine Lloyd Christmas Jonathan Toews(notes) is still out with a concussion. [Sun Times]

• The Chicago Blackhawks' TV ratings are bizonkers. [NHL]

• Mirtle checks in on the U.S. Olympic team's prospects. Has Craig Anderson(notes) moved ahead of Jon Quick(notes) on the goalie depth chart? [From The Rink]

• The NHL gives ye olde official statement on buying the Phoenix Coyotes. [NHL]

• Defenseman Shea Weber(notes) could miss two weeks with a foot injury for the Nashville Predators. [Preds]

• David Booth(notes) of the Florida Panthers is also making slow progress back to the rink after that Mike Richards(notes) hit. [Sun Sentinel]

• From the NHL: "Anaheim Ducks defenseman James Wisniewski(notes) has been suspended for two games, without pay, for delivering a forearm blow to the head of Phoenix Coyotes forward Shane Doan(notes) in NHL game #189, October 31, the National Hockey League announced today. The incident occurred at 7:12 of the first period. No penalty was assessed on the play. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Wisniewski will forfeit $28,497.40.  The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund." The play in question ... Tito Santana would be proud:

Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Max Powers isn't exactly optimistic about Alex Ovechkin's career:

"He's the Dan Marino of hockey. Lotsa numbers, just not the one that counts. I could see his whole career going that way, lol."

Hey, if it means Ovie on the CBS NFL studio show, we'll take it.

Bold Prediction: Tony Gonzalez gets the five points we need to win the week in fantasy football.

Related: Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews, David Booth, Jon Quick, James Wisniewski, Shea Weber, Mike Richards, Craig Anderson, Shane Doan, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Washington Capitals, Goons and Pugilism, Gary Bettman, Commissioner for Life, Puck Videos, Rumors, scuttlebutt, innuendo, Crosby vs. Ovechkin vs. Malkin