NHL Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Finals Edition (Thursday)

Here are the morning papers for the Stanley Cup Finals which resume at 8pm EST on Saturday night...

Detroit Red Wings (1) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (2):

• While the Red Wings did lose last night, last night's game did bring some excitement to the Finals. Last night was Sidney Crosby's coming out party, writes George Sipple. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press does not think the Penguins will win Game 4. Drew Sharp has a great article this morning that heaps praise on Ken Holland and Jim Devellano. Meanwhile, Johan Franzen looked like his old self last night.
• The Penguins played like they needed last night's game, writes Dave Molinari. In positive news for Penguins fans, Evgeni Malkin was a lot sharper last night. Sidney Crosby gave the NHL exactly what it wanted on Wednesday night. The Red Wings are most certainly mortal, opines Bob Smizik.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Finals Edition (Tuesday)

Here are the morning papers for the Stanley Cup Finals which resume tomorrow night:

Detroit Red Wings (1) versus the Pittsburgh Penguins (2):

• The Red Wings are destroying the NHL's dream match up with their dominant play, opines Bob Wojnowski. Apparently Johan Franzen thinks he kind of deserved Gary Roberts' hit to the face. Meanwhile, Michel Therien thinks that Chris Osgood is a good diver. The Penguins' line up changes did not work, writes George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press. Here is Mike Babcock's post-game interview.
• It is not looking good for the Penguins right now, writes Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Gene Collier wonders where all the Pittsburgh superstars have been hiding? Meantime, Ron Cook of the Post-Gazette wonders if he can select the Wings to take the series in three games? Finally, Georges Laraque was not happy that he was healthy scratched for Game 2, however, the big winger was professional about it.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Finals Edition (Monday)

Here are the morning papers for the Stanley Cup Finals which resume tonight at 8pm EST:

Detroit Red Wings (1) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (2):

• The Red Wings want to make sure they continue to play well on the penalty kill, writes Helene St. James. In injury news, Johan Franzen is expected to suit up for the Wings within the week. Bob Wojnowski profiles Chris Osgood's road back to the Wings. The NHL has to be happy with the television ratings from Game 1. It was so loud at Joe Louis Arena during Game 1 that Wings coach Mike Babcock said, "I thought we were in Canada."
• The Penguins have changed their lines for Game 2 tonight. The Red Wings just controlled the middle of the ice and the neutral zone for most of Game 1, writes Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Wings' penalty killing attack seemed to have thrown off the Penguins a bit on Saturday night. Things are looking up for Mario Lemieux these days, writes Chuck Finder.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Finals Edition (Saturday)

Here are the morning papers for the Stanley Cup Finals which begin tonight at 8pm EST:

Detroit Red Wings (1) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (2):

• This series is the classic case of age versus experience. The Detroit Free Press profiles both team's head coaches Mike Babcock and Michel Therien. In injury news, Johan Franzen will not play in Game 1 tonight but is likely to return during the Finals. Here is a video roundtable of Ken Holland and a couple Detroit sportswriters. This series could be one for the ages, writes John Niyo.
• Dave Molinari wonders whether the Penguins can win one of the first two games on the road. Colby Armstrong is still a little bit upset that he was traded from the Penguins just minutes before the trade deadline. The city is going crazy over the Pens, writes Anya Sostek. Meanwhile, Gary Roberts may not crack the team's line-up for Game 1.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Finals Edition (Friday)

Here are the morning papers for the Stanley Cup Finals which begin tomorrow night:

Detroit Red Wings (1) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (2):

• Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press has a full scouting report and, of course, her prediction on who will take home the cup. NBC Analyst and former NHLer Ed Olczyk likes the Wings to defeat the Penguins. In injury news, Wings winger Johan Franzen has been cleared to practice, however, his status is doubtful for Game 1. Dallas Drake has a chance to win his first championship since 1991.
• The Penguins march behind Sidney Crosby, writes Shelly Anderson. Ron Cook talks about how winning the Stanley Cup changes a player's life. Dave Molinari re-examines Ray Shero's acquisition of Marian Hossa. In practice yesterday, Gary Roberts was not on the top four lines.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email your thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers: Conference Finals (Monday Edition)

Here are the morning papers for the Conference Finals:

Pittsburgh (2) versus Philadelphia (6):

• With the Cup Finals in sight, the Penguins demolished the Flyers on Sunday afternoon. With their trip to the Finals set in stone, the Penguins are hoping the Western Conference Finals goes seven games. Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tells readers that Marc-Andre Fleury has been terrific this post-season.
• The Philadelphia fans have now gone 100 seasons without a championship. Throughout the whole season, Flyers coach John Stevens never lost confidence in himself. Daniel Briere just cannot seem to crack the Stanley Cup Finals.

Detroit (1) versus Dallas (5):

• Johan Franzen is feeling better but is still out of the line-up indefinitely. The Wings aren't panicking even though they have lost two games in a row. Steve Schrader of the Detroit Free Press wonders if the Red Wings have lost their mojo? The Wings have to make sure they aren't tight, writes Mitch Albom.
• The Stars gave the Red Wings too much credit to start the series, writes J.J. Taylor. The Stars just have to take it one game at a time, writes Brandon George. Meanwhile, it seems the Stars are getting under the Wings' skin.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers: Conference Finals (Thursday Edition)

Here are the morning papers for the four remaining playoff teams:

Detroit (1) versus Dallas (5):

• The Wings obviously did not want to lose last night, but the loss will serve some good, writes Michael Rosenberg. Mitch Albom clearly did not agree with the referees' decision to disallow a Wings goal because Tomas Holmstrom was allegedly in the crease. It looks like Johan Franzen (concussion) can take a step forward in his rehabilitation process. In other Wings news, the team has signed Swedish goaltender Daniel Larsson to a two-year contract.
• The Stars caught a break with the Holmstrom call last night, writes Brandon George. Stars coach Dave Tippett reunited an old AHL line last night and the decision paid off. It is fair to say that Mike Modano is still the man in Dallas. Meanwhile, Stars owner Tom Hicks has been extremely pleased with the fan reaction to the Stars' recent playoff run.

Pittsburgh (2) versus Philadelphia (6):

• It took a while, but the Marian Hossa trade is sure working out for the Penguins, writes Dave Molinari. Heading into tonight's game, the Penguins want to make sure they do not get ahead of themselves. Let's be honest, who expected the Penguins to be this dominant in the playoffs?
• The Penguins defense has been the story of this series, writes Rich Hofmann. The Flyers can still comeback in this series, writes Ed Barkowitz. Barkowitz's optimism is curbed by the fact that every time the Flyers have been down 3-0 in a series, they have lost. Meantime, it appears some people are selling counterfeit Conference Finals tickets.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers: Conference Finals (Wednesday Edition)

Here are the morning papers for the four remaining playoff teams:

Pittsburgh (2) versus Philadelphia (6):

• The Penguins easily defeated the Flyers 4-1 last night but still feel they have room for improvement, writes Dave Molinari. Philadelphia does not really have the answers for their poor play, writes Shelly Anderson. Meanwhile, a couple of Penguins had special fans in attendance last night. In other news, it appears Flyers coach John Stevens is not opposed to mandatory visors for entry-level players.


• Let's face it, the Penguins have been the best in the Eastern Conference by a large margin, writes Sam Donnellon. Steve Downie has cost the Flyers with his terrible turnovers. Home-ice advantage in hockey is a lot different than home-court advantage in basketball, writes John Smallwood. It is fair to say that Sidney Crosby has impressed Ed Barkowitz.

Detroit (1) versus Dallas (5):

• The Wings will be playing Game 4 tonight without the services of sniper Johan Franzen (concussion). They may get all their notoriety from the offensive side of the puck, but it is their defensive savvy that make Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg such special players. Meantime, former Wings coach Scotty Bowman thinks this year's version of the team is as dominant as a Wings team has ever been. The Wings are allowing a paltry 23.5 shots on net per game so far this playoffs.


• As Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News points out, Wings coach Mike Babcock takes advice from the aforementioned Bowman. The Stars' young defensemen have flourished all year, but have hit some speed bumps during their series with the Red Wings. If the Stars want to have any chance of coming back in this series, they have to hold their head up high. Tim Cowlishaw does not expect the Stars to pull a Shark-like mini-comeback.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• As Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail tells us, Leafs' coach Paul Maurice has made a number of line adjustments in an effort to spark some more offense out of his club.
• Jack Todd of the National Post gives a summary of Larry Robinson's retired number ceremony in Montreal last night.
• The USA Today has a Q & A with veteran Ducks' defenseman Mathieu Schneider in this morning's paper.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• Not only did the Ducks acquire a new fourth line center yesterday but they are also hoping to have both Todd Bertuzzi and Mathieu Schneider back in their lineup for Wednesday's game against Dallas.
• Mike Keenan finally cracked the whip yesterday at practice writes Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun. After taking a puck to the head from Canucks' defenseman Lukas Krajicek, Robyn Regehr is going to tough it out and will be in the lineup tonight versus Colorado.
• Hawks' winger Jason Williams is listed as questionable for the team's next game later this week with a strained groin. In positive Hawks' news, oft-injured forward Martin Havlat is expected to return to the team's lineup next week.
• Jose Theodore is slated to get the start tonight for the Avalanche as they take on the Flames in Calgary.
• Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch suggests Blue Jackets' GM Scott Howson is in the market to improve his team's secondary scoring. Meanwhile, the Jackets are hoping to have Mike Peca return to the lineup in the near future after the center has missed the past five games with a groin injury.
• The Stars are starting to turn their season around as they were able to exact their revenge on the Kings last with a 3-0 victory in Dallas. A move to Mike Modano's wing has sparked Jeff Halpern who now has three points in three games playing with the all-time leading American scorer.
• Wings' coach Mike Babcock is hoping Johan Franzen's shootout winner over the weekend will help him get out of his huge slump.
• Oilers' defenseman Mathieu Roy was back at practice yesterday attempting to rehab his injured shoulder. Meanwhile, Kyle Brodziak's knee is almost back to normal and the checking winger is expected to play tonight against the Canucks.
• Last night's 3-0 shutout at Dallas marked the first time the Kings had been shutout in two consecutive games since the 2001/02 season.
• Wild goaltending coach Bob Mason likes to make sure both of the netminders he works with keep an even keel writes Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune.
• The Predators were defeated last night by their ex-teammate Paul Kariya and the St. Louis Blues 3-0. Jason Arnott missed last night's game for the Predators with an injured neck.
• Coyotes' coach Wayne Gretzky doesn't want rookie Peter Mueller to get down about his lack of ice-time last game writes Jim Gintonoio of the Arizona Republic.
• Anyone hoping there was steam to that Patrick Marleau to the Flames rumors, shouldn't get too excited as David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports that no one from the Calgary front office has even called about the former Seattle Thunderbird.
• The Blues have won four straight games, but Blues' winger Paul Kariya thinks the team can play much better than it has in its last two contests. In other Blues' news, winger Martin Rucinsky has seen his offensive opportunities greatly reduced in recent games.

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• The Capitals lost 4-3 to Florida last night and their struggles are reaching the point of no-return with only 13 points registered in 20 games played.
• The Leafs are hoping to play a lot better in Boston this time around than they did in their first trip to Massachusetts. Mark Zwolinkski wonders if former Leafs' prospect Tuukka Rask will get the start tonight for Boston.
• The Lightning were not happy with the officiating in their 4-3 overtime loss to the Thrashers last night in Atlanta. John Tortorella thinks the key to Jan Hlavac scoring on a consistent basis is a matter of confidence.
• Sidney Crosby was busy shooting a commercial and some pictures for ESPN the Magazine yesterday writes Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "That's a luxury," defenseman Mark Eaton said in reference to the Penguins extra time available to practice.
• "Physically, I feel pretty good, but the symptoms are still there," said Flyers' winger Simon Gagne in reference to his recent concussions.
• The Senators played the role of spoiler in their 4-2 victory last night over the Habs on Larry Robinson night. James Duthie thinks that Senators fans are dreaming if they think that the market is there for a Ray Emery trade. Meantime, Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun has an interesting piece on Senators' forward Chris Kelly.
• The Islanders made it three straight over the Rangers last night with a 2-1 at MSG writes Greg Logan of Newsday.
• "We allowed them to frustrate us and we got away from our structure that's been successful," NYR winger Brendan Shanahan said after last night's loss. Off-season acquisition Chris Drury is starting to become frustrated that he has been unable to develop chemistry with any of his linemates.
• Brent Sutter has gone with his gut in moving Patrik Elias to the middle to play center for first time since he was a child back in the Czech Republic.
• The Senators proved last night in Montreal why they are 1st in the Eastern Conference writes Pat Hickey in this morning's Montreal Gazette.
• The Panthers got some confidence after finally holding on to a third period lead on Monday writes Steve Gorten of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Additionally, winning in Washington allowed for the Cats to put an end to their road woes.
• It has come to a point where the Hurricanes can't even get through a practice without sustaining an injury writes Luke Decock of the News Observer.
• The Thrashers have gotten all the way back to .500 after their overtime victory over the Lightning last night.
• Bruins' coach Claude Julien is out to fix the defense in front of goalie Tim Thomas writes Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Nightly Recap: Detroit Snaps Losing Skid

Detroit 5 - Columbus 4 (SO) - Johan Franzen scored the shootout winner in the 5th round of the shootout. Detroit snapped a three game losing streak, and is now 1-4 in shootouts. Columbus is 0-4 in shootouts. Rick Nash and Nicky Zherdev had three points each for the Jackets, Nicholas Lidstrom had three for the Wings.

Minnesota 4 - Colorado 1 - Minnesota received goals from four unlikely heroes, Matt Foy, Aaron Voros, Brent Burns and Stephane Veilleux. It was Brent Burns' fifth goal of the year, his second in two games.

Vancouver 4 - Calgary 1 - Markus Naslund and Henrik Sedin each had a goal and an assist. The Canucks are now 5-0-1 since losing top defenseman Kevin Bieksa and Sami Salo. The Canucks are now 8-0-1 vs the Northwest Division.

Tomorrow's Games (all times Eastern)
7:00pm NYI@NYR, FLA@WSH, TB@ATL (VS),
7:30pm OTT@MTL
8:30pm LA@DAL, NSH@STL

Dirty Little Recap

Very smart for the NHL to not even try and compete with the NFL on Sundays. Only one game tonight.

• Paul Stastny is the Illegal Curve MONSTER of the night with a goal and four assists. This brings his season total up to 8 points in 3 games. A pace for 218 points this year, should be enough for the Art Ross. All kidding aside, Ryan Clowe scored the Sharks only two goals. The Avs put a spear through the fin of the San Jose Sharks 6 - 2.

More news to sink your teeth into

• Johan Franzen is out 3-4 weeks with a knee. Poolies looking for a quick fix, look for a veteran such as Dan Cleary or Kris Draper to take his spot on the line with Datsuyk and Holmstrom.
• Vesa Toskala impressed last night in his victory over the Habs
• Richard Park signs a 2 year extension with the Islanders
• Montreal Canadien Chris Higgins is ready to take his game to the next level
• USA Today's Kevin Allen looks forward to the week ahead
  
• The Carolina Hurricanes have signed defenceman David Tanabe to a two-year deal.
• Sean Avery will be out 4 weeks with a shoulder separation
  

On Schedule for Tomorrow (all times Eastern)

Washington @ New York Islanders 2pm
New Jersey @ Ottawa 3pm
Edmonton @ Detroit 730pm

Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians. Gotta love afternoon hockey.