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Around the Rink - Monday, January 24th

Alex Ovechkin, Brandon Dubinsky

Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin (8) fights with New York Rangers’ Brandon Dubinsky in the second period of their hockey game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sunday, Dec. 12. 2010. Both were given five minute fighting penalties. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams)

AP

Here are previews for Monday’s six game set. As always, start times correspond to Eastern Standard time (ET).

7:00 pm

Toronto @ Carolina

As the eighth place Thrashers flounder, the Hurricanes hope to usurp their division mates for a playoff spot. Perhaps the Maple Leafs feel that way too, but they need to make up quite a bit more ground than Carolina does.

7:30 pm

NY Rangers @ Washington

The Capitals are looking to get revenge on the Rangers, who embarrassed them 7-0 as HBO’s cameras were rolling. It sounds like Alexander Semin is rounding back into shape to boot, although it is unclear when he’ll be back. Meanwhile the Rangers are a hearty bunch but are dealing with some serious injury issues so it a tough challenge will get that much more difficult tonight.

9:30 pm

St. Louis @ Colorado

This is a good opportunity for the Avalanche to get back into the top eight of the West, as the weak-on-the-road Blues come to visit them in Colorado. They’ve already won five in a row against St. Louis, after all.

Nashville @ Calgary

Only one team holds more road wins than the Predators at this point in 2010-11: the league-leading Flyers. Nashville is absolutely on a roll, having won three in a row and 10 of their last 12 games. Calgary is also showing signs of life, having won two consecutive games.

10:00 pm

Dallas @ Vancouver

Two division leaders square off in this one, as Western Conference/Northwest Division leading Vancouver hosts Pacific Division leader Dallas. They’re also among the hottest teams in the NHL, so this should be a high level game.

10:30 pm

Boston @ Los Angeles

Perhaps both teams can break the ice by talking about how often Marco Sturm gets injured? They don’t see each other often, but both teams have a nice mix of veteran and young talent and coaches who fancy a defensive minded game.