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: Washington Capitals at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET. Tomas Vokoun gets the start and a chance at some redemption after a rough debut for the Caps, even though he won in a shootout. Brent Johnson, the former Cap, gets the nod for Pittsburgh with Marc-Andre Fleury under the weather. Evgeni Malkin was a game-time decision. Rumor has it these two teams aren't fond of each other.
Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. ET. The mighty Al Montoya gets another start for the Isles with Evgeni Nabokov as his backup. The Lightning are 1-1-1. Their power play isn't clicking yet, at 2-for-15; but their kill is the best in the NHL, having not allowed a power-play goal in 18 shorthanded chances.
Preview: Vancouver Canucks at Detroit Red Wings, 8 p.m. ET. Cory Schneider gets the call for the Canucks. The Red Wings should be fired up after three days of "monotony" in practice. And listening to Mike Babcock, which we imagine is also monotonous.
Preview: Winnipeg Jets at Chicago Blackhawks, 8:30 p.m. ET. Not much to add beyond what Leahy previewed as far as Big Buff's homecoming. Ray Emery gets his first start as a Blackhawk. "Corey [Crawford] is ready to go but we just want to get Ray playing," said Coach Q.
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
• Nikita Filatov has been demoted. Already. [QMI]
• Mark Messier will cry at the end of the New York Marathon. [NHL]
• Aaron Boogaard, 24, pleaded guilty today to the misdemeanor charge of interfering with the scene of his brother's death. [Pioneer Press]
Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Brian Bieber on the Adam McQuaid spill into the boards in Philly:
"After all the comments on the Philly booing cancer post, have to point out the round of applause that McQuaid got once he was helped up and off the ice. Remember that not all Philly fans are a-holes, as much as you would like to think they are..."
Bold Prediction: One way or another, we're seeing a shutout in the St. Louis vs. Dallas game.