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: Colorado Avalanche at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET. We're a little over a week into the season and who had these two teams pegged as early division leaders? Former Leaf Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be in net for the Avs. Peter Mueller won't return from a concussion tonight, but after a few more practices, he'll be ready to play.
Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins at Winnipeg Jets, 8:30 p.m. ET. Still looking for their first win of the season, the Jets will be without Evander Kane tonight as he's day-to-day with a lower body injury, while Tyler Kennedy will be out as well after experiencing concussion-like symptoms on Sunday night.
Preview: Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks, 10:30 p.m. ET. The news for the Sharks is that Antti Niemi will make his season debut tonight and that newcomer Martin Havlat is expected to make his debut Friday against New Jersey. Torrey Mitchell will remain on the Sharks' second line at least through tonight. Anaheim has just one win in regulation when playing the Sharks in San Jose.
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
• Andy McDonald of the St. Louis Blues has been played on IR after suffering a concussion Saturday night against Dallas. McDonald missed time last season with a concussion, as well. [Blues]
• Ryan Kesler will make his season debut for the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night when the New York Rangers come to town. [News1130]
• Craig Rivet talks about his signing with the ECHL's Elmira Jackals: "When you play in the NHL, everybody watches you and it's all about earning your money. Here, I'm not making any money, so people can't crap on me. It's covering all of the things that I'm trying to cover. I still get to wake up, stretch with the boys, ride the bike, get on the ice and get to practice. It's been great." [Buffalo News]
• After his comments saying former teammate Alex Semin "doesn't care", Florida Panthers forward Matt Bradley issued an apology today: "I wish I could take it back. I apologize for saying it. He's a great player. It's one of those things you wish you could take back, but you can't, so all I could do is apologize and move forward." [Sun-Sentinel]
• Finally, here's a cool angle of the KHL's Fedor Fedorov breaking the glass behind the net:
Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Commenter "JX" on the majority opinion on fighting post:
"If they are to make a move towards solving the issue whist leaving tradition in place, rule changes need to be incorporated.
Now I'm a casual hockey fan. I follow the Rangers and that's really it other than playoff hockey so bear with me if this is too far-fetched.
I am a die-hard NBA fan, so I say the NHL incorporates the same system as their technical foul. They can call this the "Asham rule" much like the NBA technical foul rule is often refered to as the "Rasheed rule".
The NBA rules suspends a player 1 game after their 10th technical foul. Then one game for every OTHER technical foul (So you are not suspened on the 11th, but the 12th).
The same exact system can be used during the NHL regular season and the playoffs. A player can receive 8 fighting penalties. They miss the game following the 8th then a game for every OTHER penalty afterwards.
This will allow the people to still keep the tradition in place, but the players will be more selective when picking a fight. Just an idea."
Bold Prediction: J.S. Giguere posts a shutout against his old club as the Avs win 2-0.