Ryan Kesler out weeks with broken foot; Habs vs. Leafs (Puck Previews)

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: Washington Capitals at Philadelphia Flyers, 7:30 p.m. ET. RIVALRY NIGHT ON NBC SPORTS NETWORK! Simon Gagne’s first game back with the Flyers after they reacquired him from the Kings. Adam Oates said last night that the Capitals are “60 or 70 percent” as far as grasping his system’s nuances, which is a polite way of saying they’re still playing like poo 30 percent of the time. Yes, poo.

Preview: Montreal Canadiens at Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. ET. IT’S RIVALRY NIGHT IN CANADA, OR AT LEAST THE EASTERN PART! The Leafs have beaten the Habs twice this season, including that PIMs-filled 6-0 rout. Michael Ryder will play for Montreal. Mikhail Grabovski is trying to play it cool with facing the team he loathes to the point of allegedly biting people.

Preview: Detroit Red Wings at Los Angeles Kings, 10 p.m. ET. Darryl Sutter breaks down the Red Wings: “They’re playing more of a push-the-play type of [game]. If you look at it, quite honest, Datsyuk and Zetterberg – this team has scored 57 goals. They [have 47 combined points]. So they’re still pretty central figures as to what’s going on. And then Brunner probably hasn’t gotten enough respect. He’s got 10 goals. That’s a significant number in the league when two guys are – they’re not a high scoring, dominant team offensively, but those guys are in on that many goals is pretty significant.” Jonathan Bernier gets the start for the Kings.

Preview: Nashville Predators at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. ET. Anaheim has two wins over Nashville this season by 3-2 scores. Viktor Fasth will battle Pekka Rinne. Bruce Boudreau, on realignment of Detroit to the East: “They shouldn’t be in the West,” Boudreau said. “Get them out as quick as possible, by the way. I can tell you a couple of teams. They should be with Chicago. Chicago should be in the East too. ... Who else? I think the Kings could go there, just for some travel.”

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 Goalie Post.

Evening Reading

• Sam Gagner of the Edmonton Oilers was on our podcast tonight, and it was a good time. [Marek Vs. Wyshynski]

• Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks has a broken foot and could miss six weeks. Paging Stephen Weiss? [CP]

• “Derrick Brassard is now on the shelf along with fellow centers Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, and defensemen Jack Johnson and James Wisniewski. If you're scoring at home, that group consists of the Blue Jackets' top three centers (on paper) and the No. 1 defense pair for the first 16 games of the season.” [Puck-Rakers]

• Montreal Canadiens defenceman Raphael Diaz is suffering from a concussion and will not dress in Wednesday's game against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs. Unless of course it’s just the flu. [TSN]

• Bourne on the pill culture for sleepy hockey players. [Backhand Shelf]

• Oh, hi Craig MacTavish and Kevin Lowe watching the Flyers and Caps tonight. [@NHLAdamK]

Puck Daddy Reader Comment of the Day: John P. on the Rangers fan that fell on the stairs:

Bold Prediction: Simon Gagne outscores Michael Ryder tonight.