One of the NHL's busiest days of the season sees 13 games on the Wednesday schedule, and NHL Live with Steve Mears and E.J. Hradek, at 5 p.m. ET on NHL Network, will get you prepared for this pre-Thanksgiving smorgasbord.

A pair of NHL greats, Cam Neely of the Boston Bruins and Mike Richter of the New York Rangers, will be in studio to preview their showdown Friday afternoon and talk about riding on the NHL Float in Thursday's Thanksgiving Day parade.

We'll also check in with Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa as his team gets set to face the Ottawa Senators on Thursday in a preview of the Heritage Classic on March 2 in Vancouver. Tickets for the game will be on sale next week.

E.J. will also Face Off with Jeff O'Neill, going head-to-head in a debate of hot topics around the League.

Remember to submit your #AskEJ questions through Twitter via @NHLNetwork or @EJHradek_NHL, and join the conversation on Twitter as we ask you to pick the game of the night.

Once again, we have another great midweek matchup as the Boston Bruins visit Joe Louis Arena to take on the Detroit Red Wings in this week's Wednesday Night Rivalry (7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN). This game features two Original Six teams that have been among the class of the League for some time now.

The rivalry has an added element this season, with the Bruins and Red Wings competing in the Atlantic Division. Detroit has struggled a little since joining the Eastern Conference this season. But any conversation regarding the East has to begin with the Bruins.

I think Boston is the class of the Eastern Conference. One could argue goaltender Tuukka Rask is the most consistent goalie in the League right now. The Bruins have a great defensive corps with a top offensive line that propels them, as well as a third line consisting of Reilly Smith, Carl Soderberg and Chris Kelly that has been excellent. They're very well-coached and play with a lot of structure. That means they are very strong on the puck and on the boards and very solid with puck possession and one-on-one battles. The main thing with them, especially offensively, is their versatility. Offensively, they can score off the rush, they can score off the cycle and their defensemen can contribute to help create goals.

At 8:23 of the third period in the Ducks/Stars game, the Situation Room initiated a video review because the puck entered the Anaheim net. The referee informed the Situation Room that he had blown his whistle prior to the puck crossing the goal line therefore this is not a reviewable play. No goal Dallas.

According to Rule 78.4 "if an attacking player has the puck deflect into the net, off his skate or body, in any manner, the goal shall be allowed." Good goal Dallas.

DALLAS -- Veteran forward Ray Whitney, who has missed the last five games with a groin injury, will return for the Dallas Stars on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks and man his customary spot on the left side of the second line alongside Cody Eakin and Steve Chiasson.

Stars coach Lindy Ruff sees Whitney's return as not only bolstering that youthful line, but also feels his return could benefit the Dallas power play, which is an NHL-worst 1-for-29 (3.4 percent) at home.

"Well, we know that Ray has always been a good power play guy. Before he got hurt, he had some great opportunities. Been a little bit snake bit like some of our guys were, some of the opportunities haven't gone in," Ruff said. "But I believe as the zone time keeps going up and the amount of attempts going to the net keeps going up, the puck will start going in."

At 15:24 of the third period in the Blackhawks/Oilers game, video review supported the referee's call on the ice that Chicago's Andrew Shaw used his skate to kick the puck into the Edmonton net. According to Rule 49.2 "A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct kicking motion to propel the puck into the net." No goal Chicago.

At 0:30 of the first period in the Wild/Blues game, video review was inconclusive in determining whether Zach Parise's stick was below the level of the crossbar when he deflected the puck into the St. Louis net. Therefore, the referee's call on the ice stands. No goal Minnesota.

At 7:14 of the second period in the Jets/Devils game, video review supported the referee's call on the ice that Evander Kane's shot did not completely cross the goal line. No goal Winnipeg.

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk will miss the game Monday against the Minnesota Wild (8 p.m., NBCSN) with the flu.

Shattenkirk, who has points in 12 of the past 15 games (one goal, 12 assists) missed the morning skate Monday and was considered a game-time decision. Coach Ken Hitchcock said the flu has been going around the Blues locker room, with five players in the past week with some form of illness. Shattenkirk is the first to miss a game due to illness.

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers placed forward Tomas Kopecky and defenseman Matt Gilroy on injured reserve Monday.

Kopecky, who sustained an upper-body injury in a 4-1 loss against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, will miss games against the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers and be eligible to return for a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday.

Gilroy was injured in a 4-3 shootout loss against the Calgary Flames on Friday and won't be eligible to return until a game against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 3.