NHL Morning Papers--Western Conference (Wednesday Edition)

Here are the Northwest Division morning papers:

• The Canucks forgot to play the second and third periods last night, and that led them to a 3-2 loss at Calgary, writes Ben Kuzma. According to veteran Trevor Linden, the Canucks took too many penalties last night.
• After yesterday's home victory over Vancouver, the Flames are now the clubhouse leaders in the Northwest Division. The Canucks blew the "worst lead in hockey" on Tuesday, so maybe some cliches are true, writes Steve Macfarlane of the Calgary Sun.
• The Oilers' defensemen are going to do their best to stop scoring on their own net. The Oilers have decided to give Mathieu Garon some time off his injured ankle and have recalled Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers.
• John-Michael Liles has turned his game around thanks to some new found stability, writes Adrian Dater.
• With the Oilers set to face-off against the Wild in St. Paul tonight, Michael Russo of the Star Tribune has some kind words about the Oilers resiliency in this morning's paper. Wild coach Jacques Lemaire believes his team's problems are currently mental.

Here are the Pacific Division morning papers:

• The question has been posed to Scott Niedermayer about returning next season and his answer did not really reveal much of anything.
• The Sharks only came to play in the third period, and that is why they lost 5-4 in overtime, writes David Pollak. With second place in the Western Conference basically secured, the Sharks will use some Eastern Conference teams as a motivating factor over the last few games.
• It should never have went to overtime, but the Coyotes will still take the two points, after they blew a 3-0 third period lead to the Sharks, writes Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic.
• In positive news, the Stars are expecting both Sergei Zubov and Phillipe Boucher to return to the line up in the near future. Tim Cowlishaw took some time off the Around the Horn set to tell Dallas fans that the trades made by their favorite clubs have not paid off.

**There were no L.A. Kings articles this morning** (Writer's note: Are there ever any Kings articles???? How can people be fans of this team if no one ever writes about them????)

Here are the Central Division morning papers:

• After another strong performance last night, it is fair to say that Dan Ellis has from the outhouse to the penthouse in about a week, writes John Glennon. On the injury front, it appears the Predators may be without David Legwand for the remainder of the season.
• Johan Franzen continues to power the Red Wings, as the big Swede scored the game-winner last night and his team defeated the Blues 2-1. Franzen may need to keep up this pace, as the Wings may be without Tomas Holmstrom for the start of the playoffs.
• No reporters were allowed in the Blue Jackets room after yesterday's embarrassing 3-0 loss at Nashville. It looks like Ole-Kristian Tollefsen's season may be over due to a neck injury. Here are the Jackets' projected lines for tonight's contest versus the Blackhawks.
• The Blues, already mathematically eliminated from playoff competition, still put forth a good effort in the team's 2-1 loss to Detroit last night, writes Jeremy Rutherford.
• While Jason Williams may currently be in the Denis Savard's doghouse, it does not mean the team does not want him back next season.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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