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Heading into this evening's action, here are the day's top NHL storylines:
Mitch Marner is playing a different game right now
Last season Mitch Marner was bouncing around all over the Maple Leafs' lineup and took almost half a season to find his footing. This year, the star winger has been making beautiful music alongside John Tavares and is coming into his own as one of the league's top playmakers. [More]
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Canucks rookie Elias Pettersson drawing rave reviews
Elias Pettersson is earning lofty comparisons and compliments all around the NHL for his remarkable work as a rookie. The Swedish rookie is running away with the Calder Trophy and we haven't even reached December. [More]
Sorting out the sad mess between Kovalchuk, Kings
Prior to the season, the Los Angeles Kings believed Ilya Kovalchuk was essential to curing their offensive woes. Now there are rumblings that they're already looking to move on. [More]
Erik Karlsson on return to Ottawa: 'It's going to be different and weird'
Erik Karlsson's divorce from the Ottawa Senators was far from smooth, and now his return to Canada's capital is approaching. [More]
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Lamp-lighter
Power Rankings: Calgary looks like the real deal
Most of the league's best teams are who we thought they were. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators are dynamic. The Toronto Maple Leafs are explosive. Even the Winnipeg Jets are finding their way. No one expected the Calgary Flames to play with the big boys, though. [ Power Rankings ]
Game of the night
Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators
Arguably the NHL's best team faces off against the league's best dynamic duo in this Central Division bout. No one expected the Avalanche to make much noise this season, but the Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantonen-led club is second in the Western Conference in goal differential at plus-21. First is the Predators, though, who're awfully hard to beat in their building. Whichever way this one goes, it's going to be a treat. [ Full preview ]
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