Here are your Evening Puck Headlines: A glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.
Preview: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (7:30 p.m. EDT; TV: VS). In case you've forgotten why the Flyers didn't advance to the Stanley Cup finals, there's a eulogy you may want to read. The first edition of this season's Battle of Pennsylvania will have 100 percent fewer reference to R.J. Umberger and Ryan Malone both being from Pittsburgh, which makes The Pensblog happy. Petr Sykora's due back tonight for the Pens. Empty Netters has a preview of the Flyers. Over on Flyers Goal Scored By ..., this rivalry is summarized thusly: "We all know what happens when these two teams play each other. One team wins, one team loses, and both teams leave banged up and bloody."
• Alexander Radulov writes in a letter that he wants to remain in the KHL and not return to the NHL or the Nashville Predators. Perhaps the KHL will remember this strongly-worded letter if it ever stops running away from arbitration like a frightened squirrel. [Tennessean]
• Speaking of the KHL, more Alexei Cherepanov remembrance, reaction and fallout from Mark Spector, Bob McKenzie and Dave Pollard. Official cause of death: "Chronic ischemia, a medical condition when not enough blood gets to the heart or other organs," and the lack of medical attention and technology to save him.
Preview: Minnesota Wild at Atlanta Thrashers (7 p.m. EDT; TV: FSNO). Marian Gaborik has four goals in five games against the Thrashers, but we all know why this game is the most highly anticipated of the night: It's Todd White's first game against his old team from Minnesota. Adjust your schedules accordingly. Zach Bogosian is a healthy scratch.
• Def Leppard's Joe Elliott blames NHL for Stanley Cup goof, because he used a coffeemaker during practice. [Snapshots]
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• It's going to be quite difficult for Tampa Bay Lightning No. 1 pick Steven Stamkos to win the Calder if he's averaging just 9:47 of ice time. Too bad he doesn't play defense. [Lightning Strikes]
Preview: Colorado Avalanche at Calgary Flames (9:30 p.m. EDT; TV: TSN). Two teams looking for their first win, and in Colorado's case its first point in the standings. Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper was in the Flames locker room today, allegedly giving the team a pep talk despite being slightly less powerful than Mike Keenan. Well, at least in Keenan's mind.
• Ryan Hollweg has made one hell of an impression in Toronto, as the media has already lashed out at the Toronto Maple Leafs forward as being an "oaf on skates doesn't score goals, or set up plays, or generate a forecheck or even protect his teammates." [Orland Kurtenblog]
• Eric McErlain would like to expand the Alexander Ovechkin/Sidney Crosby/Evgeni Malkin conversation to Alexander Semin. [Sporting Blog]
• Mats Sundin is in Toronto! That's where the Leafs play! What does it all mean?! (We really don't miss the summer. At all.) [ESPN]
Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets at San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m. EDT; TV: FSOH, CSBA). The Sharks and newbie coach Todd McLellan are trying for the first 4-0 start in franchise history. Marcel Goc should make his first start tonight. Meanwhile, Chimera-Brassard-Voracek is a smokin' hot line for the Jackets.
• This hockey fan sign indicates of a level of planning that is just plain disturbing. [Waiting for Stanley]
• After losing Jochen Hecht (who just had surgery), Paul Gaustad and Tim Connolly to injury, the Buffalo Sabres are little thin up the middle. Wait, Tim Connolly? Injured? Get out. [Sabres]
• Uh, wasn't Brian Rolston supposed to make the New Jersey Devils power-play more gooder and stuff? [Fire & Ice]
Preview: Anaheim Ducks at Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m. EDT; TV: FSW). Travis Moen should be available tonight for the Ducks, and there's even a chance Rob Niedermayer will be back from his injured foot. Meanwhile, Sean O'Donnell faces his former teammates and is brutally honest: "In a perfect world, I think every player would love to have a great game and have the other team scratch their head and say, 'Maybe we made a mistake.' It's not going to happen, but you just want to go out there and play as hard as you can."
• Finally, here's something we'll never see again:
