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: New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Rangers and Senators meet for the first time since the Wojtek Wolski concussed Daniel Afredsson, presumably by accident, but still an affliction from which the Sens' captain has yet to return. Needless to say, Zenon Konopka's still sort of choked about that. When informed of this, John Tortorella said, "I don't give a crap what Zenon said, or whatever his name is said." Thinking about it, Zenon is a strange name. Sounds like something out of an L. Ron Hubbard religion.
Preview: Philadelphia Flyers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. ET.
Chris Pronger returns, visored for the the first time, as the Flyers visit the Lightning. It couldn't come a moment too soon. Philadelphia will be in tough -- Tampa Bay has won four straight at home. That said, Jaromir Jagr will probably help. He has a titter-worthy 69 points versus the Lightning.
Preview: Nashville Predators at Anaheim Ducks, 10:00 p.m. ET.
I declare this the likely game of the night, based on the pregame smack talk. My favourite quote is this gem from Ryan Getzlaf: "You (could) never show me a tape of me diving anywhere, so that's something I 100 percent can back up." Because every time he goes swimming at the Y, he demands the security footage.
Evening reading
• Ray Bourque, on the likelihood that Jarome Iginla will have to change addresses to win a Cup before he retires. [Sportsnet]
• On James Van Riemsdyk and the next wave of American hockey superstars. [USA Today]
• The Leafs have lost two games in a row. Suffice it to say, everyone is panicking. [CBC]
Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Fish Vicious, on Getzlaf's outrage:
Any team that employs Corey Perry relinquishes all rights to complain about embellishments and dirty plays.
Ssh. You're wrecking it.
Bold prediction: That Nashville-Anaheim will have more bad blood than season 5 of the X-Files.