Puck Daddy Viewing Guide: Team Canada goalie showdown; Datsyuk returns
Here is the Puck Daddy Viewing Guide: Spotlighting five things to watch for during tonight's slate of games. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished.
Create-a-Caption: "Daniel Winnik #34 of the Anaheim Ducks argues with referee Kelly Sutherland."
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Preview: Calgary Flames at New York Islanders, 7 p.m. EST
Preview: Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers, 7 p.m. EST
Preview: Colorado Avalanche at Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m. EST
Preview: Winnipeg Jets at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. EST
Preview: Vancouver Canucks at Montreal Canadiens, 7:30 p.m. EST
Preview: Buffalo Sabres at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m. EST
Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. EST
Preview: Detroit Red Wings at Florida Panthers, 7:30 p.m. EST
Preview: Boston Bruins at St. Louis Blues, 8 p.m. EST
Preview: Nashville Predators at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. EST
Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 p.m. EST
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Five things to know about tonight's NHL games ...
1. Battle for Canadian crease. It's Roberto Luongo vs. Carey Price in net in Montreal. Winner starts in Sochi? One would hope Mike Babcock doesn't make his decision based on one game, especially the way the Canucks are playing right now -- they've lost five straight, and they'll be without Henrik Sedin once again -- but you never know.
2. Return of the Jedi. The Red Wings are finally beginning to overcome their injury woes. Pavel Datsyuk, who is basically a Jedi, will be back in the red wheel Thursday night, hoping to stave off Detroit's fourth loss in five matches with the Panthers.
3. Callahan's last [home] stand? It's the Rangers' final home game before the Olympic freeze, and Ryan Callahan's name keeps coming up in trade talk. It could all be just bluster, but if he's moved before the players head to Sochi, this would be his final game in a Rangers' jersey.
4. Shea Weber is pure evil. Did you know that the pass that broke fractured David Poile's eye socket came off Weber's stick? Weber, who will be playing for Team Canada, the mortal enemy of Poile's Team USA? Just further evidence that he's a scary, scary man. If I'm the Wild tonight, I stay completely away from him.
5. Did Lumbus curse their friends in LA? We all know about the Twitter romance between the Blue Jackets and Kings, but one has to wonder if LA has considered the possibility that Columbus is the reason for their scoring woes. Since losing to the Blue Jackets last month, LA has scored more than one goal in a game just once. A win tonight might break that curse.
Bold prediction: Columbus shutout. The curse lives on.