NHL Morning Papers: Stanley Cup Finals Edition

Here are the morning papers for the Stanley Cup Finals which begin on Saturday:

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

• The Wings attributed much of their success last night in Game 5 versus Dallas to their terrific start, writes Helene St. James. The Red Wings' checking line was responsible for half the team's offense last night. On the injury front, Johan Franzen still has not been cleared to practice. With the Stars in the rearview mirror, here is a look at the Pittsburgh Penguins. Did you know the Penguins are the natural enemy of the octopi?
• The Penguins have a lot of impending free agents, so the time for them to win is now, writes Dave Molinari. In contrast, Ron Cook doesn't seem as concerned as Molinari. While all the press the team receives concerns the offensive side of the puck, the Penguins have been quite effective defensively. Tickets for the finals go on sale on Wednesday.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Roy MacGregor writes on the importance of goaltending in the playoffs.
2. AO is about to sign new deals with Ferrari and Verizon.
3. The LA Kings say they are losing more money in the salary cap era. Ahem, you're doing it wrong then.
4. Bob McKenzie says that despite the ink the goalies are getting, the Canadiens PP is the real problem.
5. James Duthie wants early whistles to be reviewed.
6. Pierre Lebrun wonders why Pennsylvania fans have made the playoffs into a Canada-USA us versus them affair. Barack Obama must have failed to mention the xenophobia in his guns and religion speech.
7. Mike Brophy comments on the Sharks' inconsistency.
8. Despite the loss, Dave Hodge liked the idea of starting Jaroslav Halak.
9. If the Sharks end up losing to Dallas, will it cost Ron Wilson his job? Scott Burnside comments on the situation here.
10. Georges Laraque is a nice guy.
11. INCH gives us 10 possible Hobey Baker candidates for 2009. As an aside, if you haven't looked into the trophy's namesake, do so here.
12. Rory Boylen attributes the Flyers' success to their willingness to win the physical battles.
13. The individual award winners from the WHL.
14. Memorial Cup history, 1937.
15. A run down of when and where the Stanley Cup was lost or stolen.
16. Teemu Selanne will join the Finns for the World Cup, Joni Pitkanen will not.
17. Brian Gray discusses what it takes to injure a spleen.
18. I suppose this is news in Toronto...Mats Sundin is getting married.
19. A preview of Group B at the World Championships.
20. Team Canada, playing at the Worlds in Canada, will play Canadian hockey.
21. David Staples calls on Team Canada 2010 to adopt the 1972 jerseys.
22. All you ever wanted to know about Paul Holmgren.
23. Another installment on the Roseau Rams.
24. Scott Morrison thinks that the Habs have to go back to Carey Price.
25. An update on some signings in the UK Elite League.

2008 NHL Playoffs Schedule

Attention Illegal Curve fans: the 2008 NHL Playoffs Schedule has been released.

Please scroll to the bottom of this article on the NHL's website for all the details.

Let the games begin!

NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• Leafs fans have had few things to cheer about this season, but one of the lone bright spots has been the play of Vesa Toskala, writes Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail.
• Recently fired Senators coach John Paddock says he would have done a few things differently, writes Alan Panzeri.
• Kevin Allen of USA Today commends Bob Gainey for his "best guess."

Here are the Eastern Conference Morning Papers:

• Pascal Dupuis was excited to be traded to a contender like Pittsburgh, but he had mixed feelings about the trade because his wife is due any day now with their third child. The Thrashers made it seven losses in a row yesterday with a 3-2 shootout loss at Pittsburgh.
• Zdeno Chara has quietly been tremendous this season and should be considered for the Norris Trophy, writes Fluto Shinwaza. In other Bruins news, the team has been very pleased with the production of their second line.
• Buffalo only played 22 minutes of solid hockey last night, and that was surely not enough to defeat the Red Wings. The Sabres weren't able to defeat their former netminder Dominik Hasek last night, writes Mike Harrington.
• The Rangers recorded a 5-4 shootout victory over the Flyers on Sunday afternoon, thanks in large part to the goaltending of Stephen Valiquette who came in to replace Henrik Lundqvist after he played a poor first period. "That was just a track meet," said Rangers coach Tom Renney after yesterday's exciting contest.
• Flyers youngster Jeff Carter has been terrific as of late, writes Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "I think it's a trying time for everybody, and Jeff's name had been thrown into the [trade rumor] hat. He should be flattered [that] every team that considers a deal with us wants him," said Flyers coach John Stevens about Carter.
• Kris Letang hasn't recorded a point in eleven games, but he contributed with a big shootout winner yesterday in the Pens win over the Thrashers.
• If the Capitals have any chance of making the playoffs, the team needs to become more consistent, writes Tarik El-Bashir.
• Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star wonders if the Leafs can actually make the playoffs. Meanwhile, Garth Woolsey tells readers that Vesa Toskala hasn't been overplayed as compared to his fellow NHL netminders.
• With a possible ownership change on the horizon, the Lightning organization could be undergoing more changes soon.
• The Senators are playing the Ducks tonight in a rematch of last season's Stanley Cup Finals.
• The Islanders had an impressive 53 shots on goal yesterday versus Florida, but were stifled by the play of Craig Anderson and lost 1-0 to the Panthers. Sunday's game was overshadowed by the Islanders' Stanley Cup reunion that took place at center ice.
• The Devils really miss Paul Martin on their back-end, and are hoping to get him back in the lineup later this wee.
• Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette takes a closer look at the Habs' newest number one goaltender Carey Price.
• The Panthers have Craig Anderson to thank for the two points they earned on Long Island yesterday, writes Steve Gorten.

Here are the Western Conference Morning papers:

• The Ducks want to make sure they match the intensity of the Senators tonight, as they know Ottawa will be seeking revenge for the last year's Cup Finals.
• The Blue Jackets fell 4-3 to the Oilers in a shootout last night, and the team thinks shootouts may be the reason that the Jackets don't make the playoffs. Ken Hitchcock always enjoys coaching back in Western Canada, writes Tom Reed.
• The Stars don't have many games in the next month, so they have to make sure they maintain their focus, writes Mike Heika.
• The Red Wings ended their four-game winless streak yesterday on the back of Dominik Hasek's first victory in Buffalo since he left town in 2001. Before Sunday's game, Ryan Miller addressed all the rumors that he would eventually return to his home state of Michigan to play net for the Wings.
• The Kings lost 2-1 in overtime last night to the Wild on home ice.
• The Wild continued their streak of winning games by one goal last night with a big overtime victory at L.A., writes Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune. When everyone is healthy, Wild coach Jacques Lemaire has decided to go with a three center rotation.
• The Predators definitely gained some confidence from their road victory at Dallas on Saturday, writes John Glennon.
• The Sharks are excited about the home debut of Brian Campbell, writes David Pollak.
• The Blues traded away two veteran defensemen at the deadline, and have made it clear to their youngsters that the defensive tryouts have already begun.
• The Hawks did their best impression of the Cubs last night in their 4-1 victory over the Canucks.
• According to Adrian Dater of the Denver Post, Ryan Smyth and Marek Svatos won't be returning to the lineup anytime soon.
• The Oilers won yet another shootout last night, with a 4-3 victory over the visiting Blue Jackets.
• The Canucks put forth one of their worst efforts of the season last night, writes Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Karl Alzer named captain of Canada's World Junior team.
2. Shawn Matthias, obtained by Florida in the Todd Bertuzzi deal, has inked an entry level deal with the Panthers.
3. David Shoalts has written what one can assume is only volume one in a series detailing the foibles of the Maple Leafs over the past 50 years.
4. Bernier and Mason are ready to be the tandem for Canada at the World Juniors.
5. Pierre Lebrun wonders if term limits on contracts will follow in the wake of the Dipietro and Richards deals.
6. Jason Jaffray was excited about his NHL debut, despite the loss to the Sharks.
7. The Philly-Pittsburgh rivalry has AHL roots.
8. Team Canada didn't waste any time in paring down its roster.
9. Bill Daly doubts that the NHL has a steroid problem, as least not to the extent seen in the MLB.
10. The new CBA hasn't had much of an effect on Detroit, who just keep on winning.
11. David Shoalts writes that Tomas Kaberle is starting to come around.
12. The NHL Notebook from Faceoff.com.
13. Friday's Water Cooler Notes.
14. Ernie Godden's goal scoring record still stands in the OHL.
15. The Stanley Cup gets in on the advertising blitz for the new National Treasure movie.
16. John Ferguson Jr. pleased with the Leafs winning, still being able to work.
17. The ECHL Report.
18. Oilspills.
19. The Hockey News feels that the NHL should be pro-active on the steroid issue.
20. NHLPA head Paul Kelly thinks most players will be wearing visors by 2011-12.
21. Adam Proteau's Mailbag.
22. Ken Campbell feels that the timing is right for the EIG to sell the Oilers.
23. On a related note, check out this profile that David Staples did on EIG Chairman, Cal Nichols.
24. Central Scouting's Preliminary Rankings for the 2008 Draft.
25. The Panthers recalled Anthony Stewart, but he played only 1:52.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior