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.
This is the Pavel Datsyuk bobblehead the Red Wings are giving away on Thursday. We're willing to accept other suggestions in the comments, but right now we're saying it looks like Michael Pitt from "Boardwalk Empire."
Preview: Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7:30 p.m. ET. Panthers Coach Kevin Dineen is using the fact that tonight's game is on VERSUS as motivation, saying they have to "earn respect and the national TV coverage." Being that this is their only appearance on U.S. national television this season … no pressure. No Sid, no Geno; so if you need help getting pumped to see a shorthanded Penguins team, look no further than the new Benstonium video, because it's awesome. Jose Theodore vs. Marc-Andre Fleury here.
Preview: Minnesota Wild at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m. ET. David Rundblad, who had a ridiculous 50 points in 55 games in Sweden last season, makes his NHL debut for the Sens in their home opener. Nicklas Backstrom battles Craig Anderson, who will try to prevent Dany Heatley from doing something he didn't do in his first return to Ottawa: Score a goal. More on Hately day here.
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
• No additional punishment for Ryan Smyth for his elbow on Chris Kunitz. Self defense maybe? [Oil On Whyte]
• Tom Renney hates fun. [Edmonton Journal]
• Why the NBA lockout is a golden opportunity for several NHL teams to capture new fans. [SB Nation]
• Bruins center David Krejci did not travel with the team to Carolina today due to injury. He will not be available for the club's game on Wednesday night against the Hurricanes. [Bruins]
• Crosby updates his doctor's appointments. [NHL.com]
• Patrick Sharp on Sean O'Donnell's 40th birthday: "We were joking earlier we're going to get a contact list of everyone's phone numbers; except instead of the guys in the room it'll be our parents numbers so he has lots of people to hang out with after the games." [CSN Chicago]
Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: From reader Francis on the AHL Whale:
"How appropriate that Sean Avery's next hockey destination is with a team that plays in a shopping mall?"
What team would that be, Greg? Because a 1-minute search would have told you that the XL center is not a shopping mall.
I know this is a yahoo blog and all, but it's still embarrassing when your closing gag is based on something you (or your bud Scotty) made up.
Yeah wherever did we the idea that the former Hartford Civic Center used to be connected to a shopping mall?
Bold Prediction: The Panthers spoil the Penguins' home opener, thanks to former Flyer Scottie Upshall's goal.