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Around the Rink - Thursday, October 21

After a few easy-to-follow days of four or five games, the NHL returns to a more hectic schedule tonight. There are 11 games overall, so let’s take a quick look at them all. All start times are Eastern (ET).

7:00 pm

NY Rangers @ Toronto

The Maple Leafs are coming off their first loss of the season (in overtime against the Islanders), while the Rangers are steal dealing with injuries that occurred in the teams’ first game of the season. Mike Komisarek might just have something to say to Sean Avery, too.

Anaheim @ Philadelphia

The penalty box operator might get a workout tonight, as the two most heavily penalized teams in the NHL play tonight. Both are struggling a bit, too, so this will be a bounce back game for ... someone.

Washington @ Boston

The Bruins took the first of the two team’s home-and-home series, so we’ll see if the Capitals can ruin Boston’s (ridiculously late) home opener.

7:30 pm

Calgary @ Detroit

The Red Wings and Flames are both playing well right now, so something will have to give. Detroit begins a four game homestand tonight.

NY Islanders @ Tampa Bay

Two of the league’s most resurgent teams meet in this one, with the 2008 No. 1 pick (Steve Stamkos) going up against the 2009 No. 1 pick (John Tavares). Should be an interesting contest.

New Jersey @ Montreal

Want to know how well the Devils have done against the Canadiens recently? Here’s this bit from the Associated Press preview.

The Devils have won seven of eight meetings against the Canadiens and are 16-4 against them since the start of the 2005-06 season. They have won four straight in Montreal with their last loss coming March 11, 2008.

Dallas @ Florida

Tomas Vokoun is on a two-game shutout streak, but if he can stop the Stars, then he’ll really be on to something.

8:00 pm

Pittsburgh @ Nashville

Last I heard, Marc-Andre Fleury will make his return to the Penguins net, but we’ll keep an eye on that one throughout the day. It’s surprising the team wouldn’t want to ride the hot hand, yet it’s also understandable that they don’t want Fleury to lose his confidence.

9:00 pm

San Jose @ Colorado

The Avalanche really gave the Sharks fits in the playoffs last season, and that was when San Jose had a more stable situation in net and on their blue line. Will the Sharks shake off the cobwebs or will the Avs continue their hot start?

9:30 pm

Minnesota @ Edmonton

This is the definition of a “homer” rivalry:

Although the Oilers are 0-12-2 at Minnesota since January 2007, they have won seven of eight at home over the Wild. Playing for the first time since losing 5-3 at Calgary on Saturday, Edmonton looks to even the season series after falling 4-2 at Minnesota in its road opener last Thursday.

10:00 pm

Los Angeles @ Phoenix

The Kings will go into this one without defenseman Drew Doughty and might be a little bushed doing a back-to-back. While the Coyotes will be more rested, they’ll be without an important player too, as Shane Doan begins his three-game suspension tonight.