Puck Daddy Viewing Guide: Varlamov starts vs. Stars; Brodin returns for Wild

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: "Fans of the Boston Bruins dressed up for Halloween watch the game against the Anaheim Ducks at the TD Garden on October 31."

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Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET

Preview: Tampa Bay Lightning at Carolina Hurricanes, 7 p.m. ET

Preview: Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers 7 p.m. ET

Preview: New York Islanders at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m. ET

Preview: St. Louis Blues at Florida Panthers, 7:30 p.m. ET

Preview: Montreal Canadiens at Minnesota Wild, 8 p.m. ET

Preview: Colorado Avalanche at Dallas Stars 8:30 p.m. ET

Preview: Detroit Red Wings at Calgary Flames, 9 p.m. ET

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Five things to know about tonight's NHL games ...

1. Manny Malhotra returns. After getting shut down nine games into last season, the 33-year old Malhotra makes his return to the NHL starting on the fourth line for the Carolina Hurricanes.

2. Semyon Varlamov starts for the Avalanche. "Why wait?" was Patrick Roy's answer to getting asked about putting Varlamov in net against Dallas. If the team was going allow him to travel and re-join them, tonight is better than Saturday, when the franchise will retire Adam Foote's No. 52.

3. Paul MacLean has advice for anyone growing a mustache for Movember. "Use good fertilizer. Molson Canadian works for me." via.

4. Jonas Brodin is back for the Wild. The 20-year old blue liner hasn't played since Oct. 22 after suffering a broken cheekbone when he took a puck to the face. During his return, he'll be sporting the full cage for protection.

5. Panthers seek revenge. In their first meeting this season, the Blues thumped Florida 7-0. That, of course, adds some motivation for the Panthers to avoid a repeat. Said head coach Kevin Dineen: "You get beat bad, a team spanks you, you know what? We're all professionals, we all have pride, we know we took a really good kicking there, so that's how you react."

Bold Prediction: Varlamov and the Avalanche beat the Stars 4-2.