NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• This year's version of the Leafs just makes too many excuses, writes Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail.
• According to Allen Panzeri of the National Post, Martin Gerber appears to have a stranglehold on the number one goaltender spot for the Senators.
• Kevin Allen of USA Today has an interesting piece on how the Lightning may be able to quickly replace Brad Richards.
• A.J. Perez of USA Today recaps the exciting Ovechkin/Crosby duel from Sunday afternoon.

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• The Thrashers have been sitting Alexei Zhitnik and playing Joel Kwiatkowski, writes Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
• The Bruins were playing their third game in four nights on Sunday, so they weren't displeased to earn a point in their 1-0 shootout loss at MSG. Bruins rookie David Krejci had two assists for his squad on Saturday but his performance came at the expense of his front teeth, writes Kevin Paul Dupont.
• Thomas Vanek has only one goal in his last thirteen games and will need to get going if the Sabres are going to make the playoffs. Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News believes it is eighth place or bust for the Sabres.
• Nigel Dawes had the only shootout goal, and only goal of the game, in the Rangers' 1-0 shootout victory over the Bruins. Jaromir Jagr is at peace with his pending contract situation, writes Larry Brooks. Unhappy with a penalty call, Rangers forward Sean Avery took out his anger on a water bottle, which ended up spraying a couple of Rangers fans.
• The Flyers power play has been the team's strong point all year, so it's no surprise that the team relied on the man-advantage to get out of its slump.
• The Penguins got lucky yesterday, when Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom accidentally scored into his own net with less than a minute remaining in the game. The Penguins always seem to have the Capitals' number, writes Dave Molinari.
• "That was officially heartbreaking," said Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau after yesterday's 4-2 home loss to the Pens.
• Mike Smith wasn't at his best on Sunday, as the Lightning were defeated by the Blue Jackets in Columbus. Former Bolt, Fredrik Modin has had a very frustrating season, writes Erik Erlendesson.
• The Leafs aren't giving up until they are mathematically eliminated, writes Mark Zwolinkski. The Flyers need to sweep their upcoming two-game series versus the Flyers, or their season is over, writes Lance Hornby.
• The Senators are back on the east coast and are looking to put the struggles from their recent road trip behind them, writes Bruce Garrioch.
• Rick DiPietro wasn't able to help his team in his return to the lineup, writes Greg Logan.
• The Devils feel like the team to beat down the stretch run in the Eastern Conference, writes Rich Chere.
• The Habs' laziness was their downfall in Anaheim last night, writes Pat Hickey.
• Wade Belak held a fighting lesson at practice yesterday, writes Steve Gorten.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• Ryan Getzlaf knows he has to pick up the slack for injured teammate Corey Perry, and he got off to a good start last night, leading the Ducks to a 3-1 home victory over the Canadiens. Perry's replacement Bobby Ryan quietly did a solid job last night, writes Mark Whicker.
• Flames defenseman Corey Sarich is just excited to be playing in the lineup, after being a healthy scratch twice last week, writes Scott Cruickshank.
• The Blue Jackets recorded their first win at home yesterday since January 15th, writes Aaron Portzline. The highlight of yesterday's game was career minor-leaguer Derek MacKenzie's first NHL goal.
• The Stars came out with a more physical game in their rematch with the Avalanche and it paid off, as they went on to win 3-0 on home-ice.
• Nicklas Lidstrom proved how valuable he is to the Wings last night, as his return helped his team defeat the Predators 4-3 at the Joe Louis Arena. With Tomas Holmstrom out of the Wings lineup, Johan Franzen is doing his best to fill-in.
• Dean Lombardi took time yesterday to answer the questions of many of the club's season ticket holders; Lisa Dillman of the L.A. Times has the story.
• The Wild lost 3-2 in a shootout yesterday, but were happy to at least earn a point after being down a goal with less than a minute remaining in regulation. The Wild's play is improving, at least according to coach Jacques Lemaire.
• Early penalties got the Predators in a whole that was just too deep to climb out of last night, as the team lost 4-3 at Detroit. Even after yesterday's loss, the Predators finished their road trip last night with a positive outlook on their chances for the playoffs, writes John Glennon.
• The Sharks made in nine victories in a row last night, with a 3-2 shootout victory at Minnesota.
• When the season ends, the Blues are going to take a very close look at why they can't score any goals, writes Jeremy Rutherford.
• Brendan Morrison is hoping he will be able to play on the Canucks' upcoming four-game road trip, writes Ben Kuzma.
• The future looks bright in Edmonton, especially after watching the kids dominate in Chicago yesterday, writes Jim Matheson.
• The Avalanche lost yesterday at Dallas, but the team has bigger concerns on the injury front, writes Adrian Dater.
• The Hawks recorded one point yesterday versus visiting Edmonton, but that just isn't enough at this juncture in the season, writes Chris Kuc.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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