Wednesday's notes: Stop SOPA & PIPA

Many leading sites on the internet are going black today in protest of SOPA & PIPA, the proposed laws designed to protect intellectual property, but are poorly designed and could cause tremendous harm to innocent website operators. For example, the move I made here this season to prohibit the sharing of links to video streaming sites for Preds games is related to this movement, which could allow a rights holder to get any site shut down for providing links to such streams, whether that was done by the editorial staff, or simply a user sharing something in the comments.

Check out Google's End Piracy, Not Liberty page for more information about these bills.

And now, on to your morning hockey news...

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Nashville Predators News

Preds On The Glass: POTG Has Gone Black to Protest SOPA
Buddy's joining the legions of websites protesting the SOPA legislation. We're not going dark here, but I support the cause.

Postgame ponderings - Predators Insider
Josh takes pity on Anders Lindback, and notes how different the Preds look without Ryan Suter.

Game creates special memory for Nashville Predators goalie Anders Lindback - The Tennessean
Was Anders a little star-struck last night?

Around the Wide Wide World of Hockey

NHL's most pressing second-half issues – USATODAY.com
#20 is #2 on Kevin Allen's watch list.

Rangers owner lauds Sather for rebuilding job - NHL.com
Last night's win over the Preds had New York Rangers owner James Dolan all giddy.

Brooks Orpik continues to punish the good people of Carolina with a hit on Skinner - Backhand Shelf
This was the hit of the night, as the Penguins defenseman stepped up and leveled Skinner, who had just recently returned from a concussion.

Habs on Life Support With 37 to Go | All Habs
Is it about time to stick a fork in the Canadiens? This team could go through a wholesale change from the GM spot all the way down over the coming months.

GM Fletcher discusses Wild's slide in standings - NHL.com
Minnesota has gone from the top of the league standings to 8th in the West thanks to a 2-9-3 stretch since December 17th.

Ruff, Regier Rightly Refuse To Use Trade As A Quick Fix - Die By The Blade
Can the Sabres right the ship without making personnel changes?

After clip by Nick Foligno, Leafs’ Dion Phaneuf responds with fisticuffs (Fight Video) | Puck Daddy
Big-time nastiness between Ottawa and Toronto.

VIDEO: Taylor Hall Injured After Taking Skate To Face In Warmups - SBNation.com
...and you can bet that helmet-less warmups will go the way of the Dodo.

Ryan Kesler’s Teflon is starting to wear off in Vancouver | Puck Daddy
With his goal scoring down about 50% from last season, the critics are chirping in Vancouver.

Michael Ryder Finds His Offensive Stride in Dallas - The Hockey Writers
The on-again, off-again goal scorer has been a hit with the Stars this season.

Rangers Vs. Predators: Rangers Rebound With Huge 3-0 Win Over Predators - Blueshirt Banter
There are few complaints in New York about last night's game, except maybe for that high-sticking call on Marian Gaborik.

Star-Dozing in Dallas: Wings 3 - Stars 2 (Wings win Staring Contest) - Winging It In Motown
The Red Wings took over 1st place in the West thanks to a shootout win.

Game 45 Recap: Dereks Don't Run - The Cannon
The Blue Jackets are doing their best to climb out of 30th place.

Sharks beat Flames twice, seal victory in shootout - Fear The Fin
The Sharks thought they had the game won in OT, but a goal was called off.

New Jersey Devils Ground Winnipeg Jets with Authority in 5-1 Victory - In Lou We Trust
Ilya Kovalchuk scored twice for the Devils.

Game 45: Boston Bruins at Tampa Bay Lightning - Raw Charge
Steven Stamkos is pulling away with the NHL goal-scoring lead, as he pots #31.

Special teams, emphasis on net presence pace Flyers in 5-1 win over Wild - Broad Street Hockey
Both of Philadelphia's former Preds scored a goal in this one.

Senators win third straight Battle of Ontario with 3-2 victory over Leafs - Silver Seven
Break up the Senators! They're 11-2-2 in their last 15 games.

Islanders 3, Capitals 0: Parenteau's 1st 2-goal game, Nabokov's 51st shutout - Lighthouse Hockey
The New York Islanders rebounded from Monday's loss to the Preds by shutting out Washington.