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: Carolina Hurricanes at Buffalo Sabres, 7:30 p.m. ET. The Sabres opened the season strong, winning both of their games in Europe and giving fans something to talk about. Then they had nearly a week off. Tonight, they finally stage their long-awaited home opener, and those fans will be jacked. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes picked up their first win of the season just two nights ago and rumour has it they quite liked the feeling. Buffalo's home opener be damned -- Carolina may try to win.
Preview: San Jose Sharks at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET. Yet another home opener, as the Ducks look to notch their second win after going 1-1 in Europe. And if the excitement of the home crowd wasn't enough, the Ducks should get an added boost, because defenseman Toni Lydman, who was a team-high plus-32 for Anaheim last season, is set to return to the lineup. Meanwhile, the Sharks are playing only their second game of the season. What the crap, NHL schedule-makers?
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
• Via Reddit Hockey, Shawn Thornton mic'd up is pretty great. Poor Zac Rinaldo. [Youtube]
• Do yourself a favour and read Kevin Weekes's take on the difficulty of shots from below the goal line. [Kevin Weekes]
• Daniel Wagner has a neat piece on statistics, intangibles, Kierkegaard, and choice. Unfortunately, he forgot to mention Godwin's Utopia, so I can't give him full marks. [Backhand Shelf]
Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Dave W., on the photo of Rick DiPietro spraying water into his mouth that tops the post on his concussion:
I thought the picture on the article was DiPietro actually getting the concussion in question.
Bold Prediction: The Sabres beat the Hurricanes in a high-scoring affair, as the two teams combine for no fewer than nine goals.