Puck Previews: Homecomings for Souray, Emery; Wild’s Backstrom out 2-4 weeks

Back by popular demand, 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: Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers, 9:30 p.m. Sheldon Souray makes his return to Edmonton. "Things happen. It was a little messy in people's eyes and that's just the way it was, but a lot of time has passed since them. Everyone has moved on." The Oilers seem pretty cool with him, too. Sam Gagner: "He played hard for us. It was tough to see it go down the way it did at the end, you never like to see that. It's good he's been able to come back and play the way he has."

Preview: New Jersey Devils at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. The Capitals have won three straight and take on a Devils team coming off an overtime loss to Boston on Thursday night. That means it's Moose Hedberg rather than Brodeur in for this one. Alexei Ponikarovsky is out with a leg injury.

Preview: Chicago Blackhawks at Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m. The Senators are on a 7-1-1 roll and face a Blackhawks team that's short two defensemen and Jonathan Toews. Ray Emery returns to Ottawa, where local media are urging a standing ovation for the Sens' former netminder.

Preview: New York Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning, 7:30 p.m. Both captains Ryan Callahan and Vinny Lecavalier are out with injuries. Also out: Michael Del Zotto for the Rangers. Brandon Dubinsky would be out were it not for the other injuries. The Ranges are 2-0-1 against Tampa this season.

Preview: Minnesota Wild at Detroit Red Wings, 7:30 p.m. Nicklas Lidstrom is out through the weekend for the Red Wings. "Big deal," said all of Minnesota, which will see their Wild missing Mikko Koivu for at least two weeks and now Niklas Backstrom for up to a month with a groin strain. Brutal. Jimmy Howard goes for the Wings.

Preview: Calgary Flames at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. The Flames have 69 points in 64 games, while the Ducks have 64 in 64. To get to the 91 points NHL.com believes is required to make the playoff cut, the Ducks need to go 13-4-1 the rest of the way. Yikes. The Flames haven't won in Anaheim since Jan. 2004.

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.

Bold Prediction: Sheldon Souray has a more successful night in Edmonton than Emery does in Ottawa.