The NHL Evening Skate for Dec. 18

Heading into this evening's action, here are the day's top NHL storylines:

Ottawa Senators owner Melnyk facing counterclaim for more than $1 billion

The battle between Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and business partner John Ruddy over a proposed new downtown arena has escalated. Ruddy and Trinity Development Group Inc., are seeking more than $1 billion in damages from Melnyk and Capital Sports Management Inc., after filing a counterclaim on Tuesday. Last month, Melnyk filed a $700-million lawsuit against Ruddy, Trinity and others after the two sides couldn't come to terms on a plan to redevelop land at LeBreton Flats, which was slated to include a new NHL arena as well as other developments. [More]

Flyers' Carter Hart to make historic NHL debut vs. Red Wings

The Philadelphia Flyers remain in a state of change, so why not make a little history while they're at it? When prized goalie prospect Carter Hart plays Tuesday night against the Detroit Red Wings, the Flyers will become the first team in NHL history to start six netminders in the opening 35 games of a season. [More]

Should Ian Cole be suspended for kneeing Brock Nelson?

The controversial hit happened during New York's 4-1 win over Colorado. Cole received a kneeing minor on the play, but there's reason to suspect he may be receiving a call from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. [See the controversial hit]

Lamp-lighters

NHL Power Rankings: Flyers stuck at the very bottom

Philadelphia finds itself locked in the basement of the NHL standings, a development that eventually led to former head coach Dave Hakstol's firing earlier this week. [Complete Power Rankings]

Leafs prospect Sandin's 'outstanding' season set to continue with Sweden at WJHC

Rasmus Sandin often heads over to Timothy Liljegren's place after the Toronto Marlies wrap up practice. The Swedish defencemen usually just hang out, cook food and sometimes talk about life playing hockey as teenagers more than 6,000 kilometres from home. [More]

Game of the night

Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks

There was once a time when thoughts were that the emergence of Juuse Saros would spell an end to Pekka Rinne 's days in Nashville. The young Finn would take the torch from the elder Finn and continue backstopping the Predators to success. Well, like a fine wine Rinne's only improved with age, and last season's Vezina Trophy winner isn't slowing down at age 36. Rinne leads the Predators, who sit atop Yahoo Sports' current NHL Power Rankings, into Chicago to battle the Blackhawks tonight on NBCSN. [Complete game notes]

More from Yahoo Sports:
• NFL Power Rankings: What's wrong with the Rams?
• Saints nearly blow MNF on fumble into end zone
• Ballon d'Or winner wants respect after 'stupid joke' at award ceremony
• Eric Reid dons cleats promoting Kaepernick, history of protest