from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

- After enduring some down seasons and dwindling crowds, the West-leading Stars are experiencing a revival on the ice and at American Airlines Center. When Tom Gaglardi bought the franchise in 2011 the team's season ticket base was about 5,200; it's now about 11,600. For their first six home games the Stars averaged 17,828 fans, or 96.2% capacity; for all of last season they averaged 17,350, or 93.6% capacity.

On the flip side, the San Jose Sharks are down to 93.1% capacity after four home games, from 109.2% last season, and the New York Islanders' attendance has fallen since they moved to Brooklyn. They played to 94.8% capacity at the Nassau Coliseum last season but averaged 76.3% in their first eight home games at Barclays Center.

- The Colorado Avalanche (3-7-1) has won only one of its last seven games. Coach Patrick Roy, noting that six of the losses have been by one goal, has been blaming bad bounces and bad decisions. Or is it that they're just good enough to lose close games and not good enough to win them?

a few more topics...