NHL Morning Papers: Playoffs? Playoffs? Who’s talking about Playoffs?

***UPDATED AT THE BOTTOM***

Eastern Conference Papers

Montreal vs. Philadelphia

--Prior to the crucial game 5 tonight in Montreal, Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette says that the play of Alex " AK 27" Kovalev is the main determinant if the Habs will send the game back to Philly. (Editors note: If the Habs lose tonight, the cops will need AK 47’s to quell the riot)

--Red Fisher, as he often is, is correct when he says that the Habs goaltending controversy is overblown. (Editors note: The media making a bigger deal out of something than it deserves? Colour me stunned. In related news, Barbaro is still unable to race in today’s KY Derby)

--Tim Panaccio, of the Philadelphia Inquirer says that the Flyers learned a lot from being unable to put away the Capitals in the previous round. They hope that experience will serve them well in defeating Montreal tonight. (Editors note: After playing a whole season in Philly, you would think that killer instinct would be imbedded into them by osmosis.)

New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh

--John Dellapina of the New York Daily News says that the Rangers are a confident bunch heading into game 5 on Sunday in Pittsburgh. (Editors note: Gary Bettman’s reign of terror can best be summed up by the fact that this was the only Rangers article available from New York newspapers. Way to build that exposure Betts, you jackass.)

--Roon Cook, of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette says Marion Hossa isn't pulling his weight. Dave Molinari and Gene Collier respectively, says that prior to game 5, this is the first time young Pens have faced adversity in these playoffs.

Western Conference Papers

San Jose vs. Dallas

--With the minutes left in their season dwindling away, the Sharks found the strength to respond, and send the series back to Dallas for game 6, says Ann Killion of the San Jose Mercury News. (Editors note: why Mercury News?)

--Tim Cowlishaw took a break from screaming at Jay Mariotti on Around the Horn, to say that the Stars found out the hard way that you must play a complete 60 minutes in order to guarantee victory. In his morning after blog, Dan Noxon, discusses his thoughts on the two disallowed goals.

Colorado vs. Detroit

--Jackass “columnist” Woody Paige says the Avs downfall was due to their lack of Swedes. (Editors not: If this was an attempt at comedy, Woody failed miserably. And I know comedy.) Terry Frei tries to make up for Woody’s xenophobia by writing a column (rightfully) praising the career of Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom.

--Kevin Allen, of USA Today gives his thoughts on the Red Wings performance thus far. George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press documents the level of trust between Ken Holland and Chris Osgood. He also lets us know that the Wings are already preparing to re-load as in-demand Swede Fabian Brunnstrom was in town visiting yesterday.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Drew Mindell (AKA the Cold Hard Ranter)

***Update: In my haste to get the papers published this morning, I may have failed to check out each and every newspaper that services the tri-state area, for relevant New York Ranger articles. I would like to apologize to the fine folks at the Record of Bergen County, the Westchester/Rockland Journal News, and the Village Voice (if they have a sports section) for not checking their fine broadsheets for relevant articles. Thanks to commentator Mark, for pointing out my failing. I maintain that Bettman is a d-bag, so I won't be apologizing for saying so.***

As always, if you have any thoughts, questions or ideas like the aforementioned Mark, please post them in the Comments!