Puck Previews: Coyotes look to finish February strong; Ryan Miller talks Gaustad deal

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.

• Mascots as goal judges. It's a recession, man. Everyone's cutting back. [Getty]

Preview: Florida Panthers at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7 p.m. ET. As the Leafs try to right the ship and remain in the hunt for one of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spots, the Panthers are in a dog fight the Southeast Division lead. With Winnipeg and Washington on their tails, Florida goes for their fourth straight win on the road. Toronto is trying to avoid dropping five straight at Air Canada Centre.

Preview: Ottawa Senators at Boston Bruins, 7 p.m. ET. On Monday, Joe Corvo said he would look for Kyle Turris once the game started, just days after the Senators forward delivered a high hit on the Bruins defenseman. Today, Turris responded to Corvo's threat telling reporters, "You've always got to defend yourself on the ice in certain situations. If I have to defend myself then I'll defend myself." Corvo took back his comments saying today it was "foot-in-mouth syndrome".

Preview: Vancouver Canucks at Phoenix Coyotes, 9 p.m. ET. Two of the hottest teams in the NHL meet in Phoenix as the Coyotes will attempt to avenge their only loss in February, a 2-1 shootout loss at the hands of the Canucks on Feb. 14. Mike Smith wasn't in net for that one and is 10-0-0 this month for the Coyotes. Newly acquired Sammy Pahlsson and Zack Kassian are expected in the lineup for the Canucks, with the team even giving Kassian Cody Hodgson's No. 9.

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

• Newest Los Angeles King Jeff Carter on what Mike Richards brings to the team: "We haven't played a lot together, but in our times together we've had some pretty good success" ... and then he talked about hockey. [LA Kings Insider]

• If Ryan Miller were GM of the Buffalo Sabres, his good buddy Paul Gaustad wouldn't be in Nashville. "Like I've said, we don't make those decisions. That's more proof because if I had any more influence Paul would still be here." [Sabres Edge]

• After not being traded on Monday, Mike Knuble and Roman Hamrlik are once again healthy scratches for the Washington Capitals. [Washington Post]

Puck Daddy Reader Comment of the Day: Corey on Rick Nash's trade request:

Bold Prediction: The Coyotes roll into March red hot after a 3-2 shootout win over Vancouver.