NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail profiles Evgeni Malkin in this morning's paper.
• Mike Brehm of USA Today also has an article about Evgeni Malkin and his chase for the Hart Trophy.
• Dave Shoalts "goes out on a limb" and guarantees the Leafs will not make the playoffs.
• Wayne Scanlan of the National Post tells readers that Ray Emery wasn't John Paddock's only problem.

Here are the Eastern Conference Morning Papers:

• "It happened, we had a bad game, and we have to put it behind us," said Zdeno Chara after his team's embarrassing 10-2 loss at Washington. In contract news, Bruins center Glen Metrpolit would love some contract security, writes Fluto Shinwaza.
• The Sabres need to starting playing with their head if they want to make the playoffs, writes John Vogl. The Sabres will be without Jochen Hecht for at least the next two games with a groin injury.
• Losing Rod Brind'Amour hasn't meant the end of the Hurricanes' season; in fact, just the opposite has occurred.
• Larry Brooks of the NY Post tells us that the Rangers are going to allow Sean Avery to hit the open market come July 1st. "I think both sides are pretty adamant about a dollar amount and I don't see anyone moving off of that anytime soon," said Avery.
• The Flyers got some great news yesterday with word leaking out that Derian Hatcher may be able to return to the team's lineup on Saturday night. Here is the Philadelphia Inquirer's Flyers Report.
• Penguins fans know that Pascal Dupuis was more than just a throw-in as part of the Marian Hossa trade, writes Dave Molinari. Don't expect the Pens to take it easy against the visiting Lightning tonight.
• Alex Ovechkin reached 50 goals last night and didn't stop there, in his team's 10-2 demolition of the visiting Bruins.
• The Panthers may get the speedy Radek Dvorak back in their lineup tonight, writes Steve Gorten. Meanwhile, it appears the Branislav Mezei has really picked up his play since the trade deadline passed.
• The Canadiens just made too many mental mistakes last night in San Jose to have a chance to win, writes Pat Hickey.
• If the Devils want to regain top spot in the Eastern Conference, their offense needs to pick it up, writes Colin Stephenson.
• The Islanders' season may depend on their upcoming home-and-home versus the rival Rangers, writes Mark Herrmann.
• The Senators not only lost last night's Stanley Cup rematch with the Ducks, but they also lost Daniel Alfredsson to an upper-body injury. The Senators also saw coach Bryan Murray ejected from last night's game for chirping at the refs.
• Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star talks about the great leadership skills of Mats Sundin. Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun takes the time to review the Leafs' crazy season.
• The Lightning understand they no longer have a chance to make the playoffs, so all their efforts right now are being put towards building for next year.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• The Ducks and Senators picked up just as they left off from last year's Stanley Cup Finals, as the Ducks were victorious 3-1 at the Honda Center last night.
• Rhett Warrener hasn't been in the Flames lineup close to as much as he'd like, but he is the ultimate professional and is always ready to step in. Just because the Flames have not named a starting netminder for tonight's contest, does not mean there is a goaltending controversy in Calgary, writes Jean Lefebvre.
• Rob Oller of the Columbus Dispatch is ecstatic to be following the Blue Jackets for what is finally some meaningful late-season action. Rick Nash wants to be the next captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, writes Tom Reed.
• Loui Eriksson certainly isn't complaining about his role as the winger on the Stars' top-line alongside Brenden Morrow and Mike Ribiero, writes Chuck Carlton.
• Brad Stuart is settling in well with his new teammates, writes Helene St. James. The Wings got back on the winning track on Sunday, and that allowed for Kris Draper to resume his trickery, writes George Sipple.
• Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has a nice article on Martin Skoula, a player the Wild fans have been too harsh on during his time in the State of Hockey.
• The Predators will be without steady veteran Martin Gelinas for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.
• The Sharks made it six in a row last night with an impressive victory over the Habs. Apparently this will not be Jeremy Roenick's final season in the NHL.
• Here is a Blues/Kings preview for tonight's contest.
• The Hawks will start Corey Crawford in net tomorrow night versus the Ducks.
• Peter Forsberg could be in the Colorado lineup tonight, and if he is, he will be on a line with Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk. Unfortunately, the Avs may need Forsberg even more than they thought, after the team lost both Marek Svatos and Ryan Smyth to serious injuries.
• Oilers youngster Robert Nilsson has continued to improve throughout the season, writes Joanne Ireland. In other news, the Oilers have promoted Marc Pouliot from Springfield.
• The Coyotes are still holding out hope on a playoff spot, writes Jim Gintonio.
• Alain Vigneault has not lost confidence in his team, writes Gordon McIntyre.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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