Puck Previews: Habs, Red Wings meet; Summit Series anniversary game?

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.

• If you were wondering what The Igloo in Pittsburgh currently looks like as they slowly bring the place down, here it is looking like one giant irritated boob. [Penguins]

Preview: Detroit Red Wings at Montreal Canadiens, 7:30 p.m. ET. The NHL's best team faces a fledgling Montreal squad who will head into the All-Star break out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom will be out with the flu, while Petteri Nokelainen and Travis Moen will be scratched for Montreal, opening the door for Andreas Engqvist to step into the lineup. Jimmy Howard is due to start and go for his seventh win in a row.

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

• Here's the mask Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Mark Dekanich's mask featuring a gigantic cannon and Dexter from "Dexter's Laboratory" fame. He'll don the mask when Columbus sports their third jerseys ... well, that's the plan for a guy who's yet to get in a game with the Blue Jackets this season. [In Goal Mag]

• "Winnipeg has the greatest [pause] parking!" [Sports Illustrated]

• "An exhibition match marking the 40th anniversary of the hockey's legendary 1972 Summit Series between Canada and the Soviet Union could be played next month on Red Square." [Ria Novosti]

• Former NHL head coach Ted Sator's newest gig is assistant coach with Lindenwood University in Missouri. [STL Today]

Puck Daddy Reader Comment of the Day: Scott M. on ThunderBug's surprising dismissal:

"I guess I'm the only sports fan that would take joy in getting shot with silly string at an away stadium. I've had mascots mess with me for wearing other colors then their own, which generally makes for a fun encounter. It's a privileged to get messed with by the mascot."

Tim Thomas would say it's your right as a citizen, or something like that.

Bold Prediction: The Wings extend their road winning streak to three games with a 4-1 decision over the Habs. Jimmy Howard heads into the break with 31 wins.