Puck Daddy Viewing Guide: Devils host Senators; Ulf Samuelsson vs. son

Here is the Puck Daddy Viewing Guide: Spotlighting five things to watch for during tonight's slate of games. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished.

Create-a-Caption: "A fan dressed up as Santa Claus wears a Boston Bruins hockey mask in the third period during the game against the Calgary Flames at TD Garden."

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Preview: Ottawa Senators at New Jersey Devils, 7:30 p.m. ET

Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, 8 p.m. ET

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Five things to know about tonight's NHL games ...

1. Missing Malkin. The Penguins' second leading scorer, Evgeni Malkin, will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury. Head coach Dan Bylsma has also ruled him out for Thursday night's contest against the Wild.

2. Father vs. son. Ulf Samuelsson, a former Penguin, is now an assistant coach with the Rangers. Phillip is his 19-year old who made his NHL debut Monday with Pittsburgh. Said dad, via Newsday, to reporters Monday night about facing his son's team: "You're used to nerves in this business. I coached [him] in Sweden, I think that's worse, so I think I've gone through the hard part. You're pretty busy [during games], but I'm sure I'll throw the odd glimpse on the ice if he's playing."

3. Gionta returns. Clowe close. Stephen Gionta is back in the Devils' lineup after sitting out the last 11 games with a sprained ankle. Ryan Clowe, who's been dealing with a concussion since Oct. 13, told reporters that he may be able to return on Friday.

4. Mac rides the hot hand. Robin Lehner will once again be between the pipes for the Senators coming off a 3-2 win over the Blues Monday night. Said Ottawa head coach Paul MacLean: "We always go game-by-game no matter what. After the game, we'll make a determination for Thursday."

5. Methot man produced by DJ Scratch. From Olympic orientation camp to a healthy scratch. This is where Marc Methot's season has taken him from August to December.

Bold Prediction: Lehner blanks the Devils 2-0, gets the start Thursday.