Preview

The first month of the season is over, and teams are starting to hit their stride.  The Detroit Red Wings start the month of November off with a road trip to western Canada.  Pavel Datsyuk enjoys playing on the West coast, scoring four goals and nine points in six games last season.  Valtteri Filppula didn’t produce so well in Alberta, with just one point in three games, but in Vancouver he scored four points in two games.  Look for Nicklas Lidstrom to break the his western Canada pointless streak this season,

With the regular season set to open this Thursday against storied rival the Montreal Canadiens, there is much optimism surrounding the Leafs.

However, while a bad preseason isn't exactly an accurate barometer of the overall talent you have, it does tend to instill a sense of unease in the eyes of the coaching staff and fans alike.

That being said, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not have a bad preseason, going an overall 5-4. There are, however, questions that need to be addressed.

This year, there are multiple aging long-time NHL veterans looking for renewed contracts or new homes this off-season.  While you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, they can teach the puppies a thing or two about how the game is meant to be played.

This year’s NHL free agent list contains multiple names that will likely be seen in the Hall of Fame at some point in the near future—Kariya, Selanne, and Modano just to name a few.

The NHL released their 2010-2011 season schedule on Tuesday afternoon.

There will be plenty of exciting games to watch when the season gets underway this October, and the Pittsburgh Penguins will again be one of the most popular teams in the NHL to follow.

The Toronto Maple Leafs may in fact be playing their biggest game of the year tonight.

The Buds have the chance to eliminate their storied rival, the Montreal Canadiens, from playoff contention. If it happens, it could be almost as good as winning a Stanley Cup!

Tonight's game is the sixth and final game between these two teams this season. So far, the Habs lead three games to two.

It has taken extra time in all three games for the Canadiens to beat the Leafs. The Leafs have the only regulation win in the season series with a 3-0 shootout win on Dec. 1.

As any hockey fan, I was eagerly awaiting the announcement of Russia's roster for the upcoming Olympic hockey tournament, which should prove to be one of the best ever with quite a few countries icing Dream Team-like squads.

Pre-Game Notes

Scott Gomez and Matt D'Agostini return to the lineup tonight after being out with injuries.

Hall Gill skated today and should be back later this week.

Tomas Plekanec has two goals and eight points in his last six games.

Phil Kessel has eight goals in 13 games with Toronto.

Carey Price makes his ninth consecutive start in goal.

Jonas Gustavsson makes his Bell Centre debut.

Game time is 7:30 pm. EST. at the Bell Centre.

Pre-game notes

Guillaume Latendresse will be a healthy scratch tonight. Finally, Jacques Martin's patience has been exhausted. Kyle Chipchura will take his place.

Jaroslav Spacek has a leg bruise and will be a game-time decision.

Carey Price will use the tribute mask to his country music idols Garth Brooks and George Strait for the game in Nashville.

Canadiens are 7-2-1-1 lifetime against the Predators.

Habs are looking for their first three-road-game win streak.

Pre-game notes

Canadiens will wear the green and red sweaters of the 1910-11 Le Club Athletique Canadien.

Jay Leach makes his debut for the Habs in place of Mathieu Carle. Leach will wear No. 20, which was most recently worn by Robert Lang. Most notable No. 20s for the Habs include Peter Mahovlich and Phil Goyette. On his first game as a Canadien, Leach says, "I hope to be a non-factor in this game." (as per Marc Antoine Godin of La Presse)

Expected Lineup:

Thursday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, one of the early season battles will be held for on-ice supremacy.  The Los Angeles Kings will face the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

If you were not aware, and I’m not sure how it’s possible, the Penguins won the Stanley Cup last year.  They defeated the Detroit Red Wings in an epic seven-game series, making Sidney Crosby the youngest cup winning captain in history. 

Crosby is one of, if not the most hyped prospect since Eric Lindros.