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Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:23 pm EDT

Puck Previews: Pens try for No. 10; Oshie has appendectomy

By Sean Leahy

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 Jersey Devils (5-3-0) at Pittsburgh Penguins (9-1-0), 7:30 p.m EST. A night after a come-from-behind victory over the Florida Panthers, Sidney Crosby(notes) and the Penguins will look to win their eighth straight game and be the first NHL team to 10 wins. Standing in their way are the Devils who are currently 4-0 on the road this season and Martin Brodeur(notes) is one shutout away from tying Terry Sawchuk for the all-time lead. Watch the game online via Y! Sports.

Preview: Los Angeles Kings (6-4-0) at Phoenix Coyotes (6-2-0), 9 p.m. EST. Fresh off an overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings, the Coyotes will attempt to win their fifth in a row over a Kings team looking to avenge an early season loss at the hands of the desert dogs.

Preview: Edmonton Oilers (6-2-1) at Calgary Flames (6-2-1), 10 p.m. EST. Losing twice in a week to open the season thanks to a Nikolai Khabibulin blunder and a last second tying goal is something Edmonton would like to forget as they enter this season's third edition of the "Battle of Alberta". One advantage the Flames have going into tonight's game is that the Edmonton locker room has been ravaged by the annual flu bug.

Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs (0-6-1) at Vancouver Canucks (4-5-1), 7 p.m. EST.

Preview: Florida Panthers (2-5-1) at Philadelphia Flyers (4-2-1), 7 p.m. EST.

Preview: New York Rangers (7-3-0) at Montreal Canadiens (4-5-), 7 p.m. EST.

Preview: Washington Capitals (5-2-2) at New York Islanders (1-4-3), 7 p.m. EST.

Preview: San Jose Sharks (5-4-1) at Atlanta Thrashers (4-2-1), 7 p.m. EST

Preview: Boston Bruins (4-4-1) at Ottawa Senators (5-2-1), 7 p.m. EST.

Preview: Buffalo Sabres (5-1-1) at Tampa Bay Lightning (3-3-2), 7:30 p.m. EST.

Preview: Carolina Hurricanes (2-5-2) at Minnesota Wild (2-7-0), 8 p.m. EST.

Preview: Dallas Stars (4-2-4) at St. Louis Blues (4-3-1), 8 p.m. EST.

Preview: Nashville Predators (3-5-1) at Chicago Blackhawks (5-3-1), 8:30 p.m. EST.

Preview: Detroit Red Wings (3-3-2) at Colorado Avalanche (7-1-2), 9 p.m. EST.

Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets (5-3-0) at Anaheim Ducks (3-4-1), 10 p.m. EST.

Evening Reading

-After last night's 3-1 win over Minnesota, St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie(notes) had an emergency apendectomy. We're unsure how this affects his immediate political career.  [STL Post-Dispatch]

-No Jonathan Toews(notes) and Brent Seabrook(notes) for the Chicago Blackhawks tonight as they host Nashville. [Chicago Tribune]

-Versus president Jamie Davis was on NHL Live yesterday discussing his channel's on-going dispute with Direct TV: "We have an offer to them on the table which is for not one extra penny than what they were paying before, and we're not asking for any extra money or extra distribution. We just wanted to continue on a status-quo deal with no strings attached and they have rejected that." [NHL.com]

-Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau on Alex Ovechkin(notes) being fined for slew-footing Atlanta's Rich Peverley(notes): "It's a dangerous play, so I'm glad the league is looking at looking at those things. But I don't think whatever Alex does there is ever with the thought of injury. I don't think anything he does is malicious." [Fanhouse]

-The Los Angeles Kings have a lot to be excited about in terms of their up and coming youth. [Battle of Cali]

-Brian Burke doing what he does best: talking and talking. [Globe & Mail]

-Hockey Canada announced that the Canadian Junior team will wear these green jersey's as a salute to Saskatchewan during this year's World Junior Championships. [Hockey Canada]

-Fifteen early season surprises. [The Hockey News]

Puck Buddy Comment of the Day: Heightening the discussion about the way NHL hands out punishment is commenter Chris L.:

"Tuomo Ruutu is not a dirty player at all. 300+ games and this is the first time he has been suspended. 3 games is fine when compared to other suspensions in the league, but I do think the league needs to establish more strict standards when it comes to boarding and slews. OV definitely should have been suspended for his slew though. Slew footing is pretty much always a sign of intent to injure. There is no debate about whether a player was trying to hold up like with boarding."

Bold Prediction: Vincent Lecavalier(notes) will open his goal scoring account against the Sabres, but Buffalo will get the last laugh in a shootout victory.

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23 Comments

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  1. The Duckman
    1. Posted by The Duckman Sat Oct 24, 2009 5:40 pm EDT

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    Congrats to Mark Recchi who will be playing his 1500th game tonight for the Bruins
  2. Almost Lewboski
    2. Posted by Almost Lewboski Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:05 pm EDT

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    Boo Direct TV, Boo.
  3. Brian
    3. Posted by Brian Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:13 pm EDT

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    You can argue that in Artyukhin's case, since the puck was away from the play, then that is intent to injure. However, from Campbell's statement he seemed to indicate that because Ovechkin was in the process of battling for the puck when he committed the slew foot, therefore it was no intent to injure, and therefore is subject to a fine since it was his first slew foot he committed. However, Chris L's comment brings up a really good point: Does the Campbell and/or the NHL have a list of actions that when executed are always considered intent-to-injure? If so, I'd really like to see it.
  4. Spock
    4. Posted by Spock Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:24 pm EDT

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    I agree with Bruce Boudreau's analysis of OV's play. He plays with alot of passion with no intent of injuring other players. Everything he does is intense (goal celebrating, all out play . . . . in the offensive zone atleast, hits, driving 180 MPH, etc). If you've watched all of the CAPS games this year, you will notice that OV has toned down his hits alot this year.
    As for OV being suspended for the slewfoot on Peverley. If OV really was trying to injure Peverley, why was there an absence of some kind of brawl or complaint to the ref by the Thrashers after that play? . . . . Why was this incident not that big a deal in the game summaries the next day (and not just Yahoo Sports)?
    Such things usually happen in events when a player is trying to injure another. The only reason that this incident became headlines was because of the f*cked Canadian media (hello Toronto).
  5. SPaRTiGaS
    5. Posted by SPaRTiGaS Sat Oct 24, 2009 6:40 pm EDT

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    OV will nvr be suspended, they wont suspend the face of the league. he could actually kill a man, and they'd just fine him $2500. same w/ crosby/malkin/toews/heater/etc etc. it will always be the goons and less players that are made an example of.
    that being said... the NHLs discipline system is a DISGRACE. that hit by ruutu (which was more of a rub out, but thats neither here nor there) gets 3 games, a slew foot gets 3 games BUT a HIT TO THE HEAD gets nothing... wow
  6. MattD
    6. Posted by MattD Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:07 pm EDT

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    Hello,
    I just want to say that John Buccigross is a jerk-journalist that can't see beyond the Eastern Conference. FYI, John - Datsyuk had a better season last year than either Crosby or Malkin. He had almost as many points as C. or M. with better +/-, better faceoff%, being a better all-round player that kills penalties, and did all that in spite of playing in what was undoubtably the best division in the NHL (Central) and helped lead his team to first place. You also might do some reading on hockey history sometime and discover that Gordie Howe won three Hart Trophies for league-MVP past the age of 30, the last one being in 1963 when he was 35 years old.
    Some players peak in their early 20's and others do it at later ages but, unfortunately for all of us, some journalists keep earning a paycheck when they never deserve it.
  7. Brian
    7. Posted by Brian Sat Oct 24, 2009 7:21 pm EDT

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    The comment about hits to the head kind of relates to this incident, since a concussion was involved. A comment on another article talked about the glass where Tucker hit, and how there was absolutely no give since it was seamless glass. There's really relevant info in this article I recently read. Malcom Gladwell's "Offensive Play: How different are dogfighting and football?" from The New Yorker is a fantastic read. Gladwell is the author of The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers. Basically, it talks about how they are measuring hits to the head in football, how much impact per play, what does it take to cause a concussion, how does that affect players years later, and is this just part of the game or something that can be eliminated. In football, it would be almost impossible to not have linebackers constantly sustaining relatively minor hits to the head (all of which culminates later in life in the form of dementia). However, in hockey they really could outlaw hits to the head and make the game much safer. Here's the link: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/10/19/091019fa_fact_gladwell?currentPage=all
  8. Brian C
    8. Posted by Brian C Sat Oct 24, 2009 9:55 pm EDT

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    Woot! Montreal plays a good come-from-behind game, and then takes over in OT. Cammalleri begins his quest for 40 goals!
    That was a really entertaining game to watch.
  9. Bubbabanjo
    9. Posted by Bubbabanjo Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:08 pm EDT

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    Marty was the man and the Dirty birds were too tired. Too bad he missed his shut-out.
  10. jim
    10. Posted by jim Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:23 pm EDT

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    Nice call by Sean Leahy------"Bold Prediction: Vincent Lecavalier will open his goal scoring account against the Sabres, but Buffalo will get the last laugh in a shootout victory"----That is EXACTLY how it happened! :)
  11. habs1rule
    11. Posted by habs1rule Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    Brian, Pleks and Kostitsyn are a waste as second line players, and a team cant go far with one line...If I were Gainey, I would try and get a second line by a trade, draft picks, whatever...Gomez would even be a better second line center, wish we had drafted Getzlaf or Parisse a few years ago.
  12. blue_4_eyes
    12. Posted by blue_4_eyes Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:45 pm EDT

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    Hey Leahy, can you please "boldly predict" that I'll win the lottery?
  13. Jenn G
    13. Posted by Jenn G Sat Oct 24, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    awesome job with the prediction tonight
  14. Guy F
    14. Posted by Guy F Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:03 pm EDT

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    Wow Spock, I've never seen you so irate/agitated...
    Yeah, Toronto. I was at the Canucks game tonight (primo seats, 3rd row centre ice) and an interesting thing occured. After the Canucks second goal the puck was about to be dropped at centre when the scorers waved the referee over to the booth. "Umm, sir, you have a phonecall." "Really, why?" "It's Toronto calling." "Hello?" "Are you SURE that goal was okay?" "Absolutely" "Really? Well, you see, even though there was clearly no infraction, well, Mr. Burke just called and he was rather upset." "What do you want me to do about it? The goal was legit." "Oh, we know, we just want to appease him, I mean, he doesn't have much going for him these days." "Okay, I'll wait.....................is that long enough?" "Should be good" "Alright then, take care"
    Referee puts down the headset and skates to centre. "After further review the call on the ice stands"
    Ridiculous.
  15. Jerk Store
    15. Posted by Jerk Store Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:30 pm EDT

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    holy cow good job on the prediction
  16. diehard_wings_fan134096
    16. Posted by diehard_wings_fan134096 Sat Oct 24, 2009 11:47 pm EDT

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    the filppula,leino,willams line for the wings was a combined -7.......that's gotta be worth a dishonorable award tonight....
  17. knucklehead
    17. Posted by knucklehead Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:16 am EDT

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    @die-hard
    This is getting tough to watch.
    Tough night for Michigan sports fans.....ugh!
  18. Spock
    18. Posted by Spock Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:39 am EDT

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    Guy F. I watched that Canucks game on the side while I was watching the Bruins game. The review that followed that one Canucks goal, seemed rather desperate by the Leafs. It seemed like they were claiming that the Canucks player scored that goal because his stick was above his shoulder, even though the goal went through the Leafs goalie's 5-hole.
  19. Guy F
    19. Posted by Guy F Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:59 am EDT

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    @ Spock : Exactly.
    Not the best game to attend. Canucks were brutal in the third. Luongo finally showed up though. The 4pm start was not exactly convenient considering every other Saturday game starts at 7pm PST. When other Eastern franchises with star players/loyal followings/storied histories come to town (i.e. the Flyers, Bruins, Penguins, Capitals, Rangers, Canadiens) the games are always at 7pm.
    However, when the Leafs come to town the game begins at 3pm PST?
    You know, if CBC was going to get in bed with someone you think they'd pick a more attractive partner...
  20. tluck81
    20. Posted by tluck81 Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:56 am EDT

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    Hey Leahy.... how about you make a bold prediction of me getting laid sometime this week...
  21. MattD
    21. Posted by MattD Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:22 am EDT

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    @GuyF; us CBC watchers here in Southeast Michigan have been stuck watching Leafs games for decades, so when they adjust west coast game times to put the hurt on us for another Saturday night primetime game it's 'uggghhh'.
  22. tomstar
    22. Posted by tomstar Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:24 am EDT

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    Watching the Devils play hockey against anyone is like watching paint dry.
    Bring on the No-Doze
  23. Guy F
    23. Posted by Guy F Sun Oct 25, 2009 12:59 pm EDT

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    @ Matt D : I hear ya!
    You know, despite my occassional digs at the Leafs and harsh words about Burke, I do not hate the Leafs. Not a fan either, I just wish the product on the ice would improve. I accepted long ago that CBC=Maple Leafs and TSN stands for "Toronto Sports Network".
    Last night, if they were playing anyone other than the Canucks, I would have been rooting for them. They deserved at least a point from that game.
    I expect a far better effort tonight (from Vancouver) against the Oilers. Those Western match-ups always have more intensity than East-West games.

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Puck Daddy is an NHL blog edited by Greg Wyshynski. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
Sean Leahy, Ross McKeon, Matt Romig, Dmitry Chesnokov, Ryan Lambert, Dobber, Scott Pianowski,

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