NHL Morning Papers: Playoff Teams (Saturday Edition)

Here are the morning papers for the Eastern Conference playoff match ups:

Note: I am going to continue including teams that were eliminated from the first round under this post until the second round begins.

Montreal versus Boston:

• All eyes will be on Carey Price tonight in Boston, writes Herb Zurkowsky. It looks like Saku Koivu may dress for tonight's Game 6. With Passover beginning tonight, if the Habs would have just finished off the Bruins in Game 5 they would have made it a lot easier on their Jewish fans. It looks like Claude Julien's special teams adjustments have paid off.
• Give Claude Julien credit, his recent rosters decisions have paid off. Bruins fans should not expect to see Patrice Bergeron suit up tonight for the Bruins. The play of Shane Hnidy has impressed Steve Conroy of the Boston Herald. It is fair to say that coach Julien has the Bruins believing in themselves.

Pittsburgh versus Ottawa:

• Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a closer look at the Penguins' Jordan Staal. Are the Rangers up next for the Penguins? If you wanted to buy second round tickets for the Penguins, it is too late.
• Apparently the Senators are interested in bringing back Wade Redden if the price is right. (Writer's note: Why would Redden re-sign in Ottawa? Seriously, this team has treated him like garbage for two years now.) While they have interest in retaining Redden, the Senators also have interest in ridding themselves of the distraction that is Ray Emery. Scott Morrison of Sun Media wonders if the Senators should rebuild?

Washington versus Philadelphia:

• Just like at the end of the regular season, the Capitals are back in must-win territory, writes Tarik El-Bashir. Forget lessons, the Capitals just want to win. Regardless of what happens in their first round series, the Capitals can take solace in the fact that the organization has a bright future, writes Bob Cohn.
• If the Flyers want to finish off the Capitals today, they could use some help from their struggling power play. Jimmy Dowd has been a very productive fourth line player for the Flyers.

New Jersey versus New York Rangers:

• "Of all the playoff series I've been in and all the early exits, this one hurts the most, for sure," said Devils center John Madden after last night's elimination loss to the Rangers. Losing in the first round hurts, losing in the first round to the Rangers hurts more. Here is a review of Game 5. Martin Brodeur snubbed Sean Avery during the post-game handshake.
• Larry Brooks of the NY Post thinks that losing Scott Gomez last summer has stung the Devils more than any other free agent loss they've had. (Writer's note: Scott Niedermayer's loss to the Devils was FAR more important than Gomez's loss but thanks Larry.) Jay Greenberg of the Post says that Sean Avery did a better job of keeping his focus than the Devils did. The Rangers can thank Henrik Lundqvist for saving the game with his penalty shot stop on John Madden. (Writer's note: I love how the NY press always finds reasons for the Devils' loss and the Rangers' victory. Here is the reason: The Rangers are the BETTER team. They are significantly better on paper and have dominated the Devils all season. Sometimes the answer is that simple.)

The morning papers for the Western Conference playoff match ups are soon to follow...

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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

NHL Morning Papers (Thursday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• Eric Duhaschek of the Globe & Mail profiles Ken Hitchcock and the job he's done in Columbus.
• Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail wonders if the Leafs GM job is too much responsibility for just one person.
• Bruce Arthur of the National Post says the chances of the Leafs making the playoffs are awfully slim.
• Jim Dowd is still playing in the NHL after being counted out so many times, writes Chuck Gormley.
• The Eastern Conference playoffs look to be a complete coin toss, writes Kevin Allen of USA Today.

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• The Leafs have to stop calculating the numbers and just win every game from here on out, writes Paul Hunter. Come next season, the Leafs will have more grit in their lineup.
• Carey Price will get the start tonight for Les Habitants as they face-off in Phoenix. Meanwhile, Bruce Dowbiggen believes the Habs are Canada's best hope for the Stanley Cup this season.
• The Senators lost 3-2 in overtime to the Sharks, but were very happy with the play of Martin Gerber. The Sens blew two one-goal leads, and proved that they still don't have their confidence back.
• Alex Picard, the defenseman the Bolts acquired as part of the Vaclav Prospal trade, is happy to be playing important minutes in Tampa.
• "We just talk, talk, talk in the locker room, and then we don't do anything on the ice. It was up to us; we lose, and now we're almost out. We're going to battle to the last game, but — I don't know," said Ilya Kovalchuk after last night's 6-3 home loss to Carolina. Meantime, Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wonders if Don Waddell should be replaced in his role as GM and coach.
• Chad Kilger has been suspended without pay by the Panthers for failing to report to the club. (Writer's note: Clearly the issue with Kilger is serious, so hopefully he can return to hockey, if not this season, then next.)
• Lou Lamoriello is not concerned with the Devils' struggling offense, writes Rich Chere.
• Ted Nolan has yet to announce who will be starting in net tonight for the Islanders when they finish off their home-and-home with the Rangers.
• Boston players were put through a video tutorial prior to yesterday's practice, writes Stephen Harris. The Bruins have to make sure they take care of business in March, so that April actually matters.
• The Sabres lost, once again, at home yesterday and need to improve their play at the HSBC Arena if they have visions of making the playoffs. One of the main reasons for their home struggles is the team's terrible home power play, writes Mike Harrington.
• The Hurricanes continued their strong play yesterday with a 6-3 road victory over Atlanta. The Canes turn right around after last night's game and host the Wild tonight at the RBC Center.
• The Rangers just want to make the playoffs because they know that once you are in, anyone an make the finals.
• Alexander Ovechkin continues to be super-human, as he scored two more goals last night to lead the Caps to a 3-1 road victory over Buffalo.
• Daniel Briere is hoping to return to the Flyers' lineup by Saturday, writes Tim Panaccio.
• Jeff Taffe has found himself comfortable in an unfamiliar role in Pittsburgh, writes Shelly Anderson. Jordan Staal (ribs) should be able to suit up tonight.

I am heading to a funeral today, so I won't be able to post the Western Conference morning papers. The usual format will return tomorrow morning. Have a great day.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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

Morning Musings: My late take on the McAmmond hit

I know this issue has been discussed ad nausem for the last couple of days, but here are my quick two cents. Many around the game believe the pressure is on the NHL and Colin Campbell to make an example of Steve Downie and crackdown on head shots. I, however, somewhat disagree with this sentiment. The pressure in this instance, lies with the NHLPA. If the NHL gives a twenty game suspension to Steve Downie will things really change? Will players suddenly stop running at opposing players with reckless abandon? This writer doesn't believe so. Therefore, the pressure should be on the NHLPA to organize meetings and information sessions between all NHL players to discuss, not only, the repercussions of giving and receiving a head-shot but the lack of mutual respect in the game today. For me, that is the main issue. NHL players no longer have as much respect for one another as they once did. How can the NHL as a governing body encourage an increase in on-ice respect? In short, it can't. This is where the NHLPA comes in. It is for situations like this one that the PA was created. The leadership (however weak it is right now) has to gather the players together and preach the virtues of respectfully competing with your opponents without crossing the line. Without this message being delivered, the hits will keep on coming and, one day, a player may never get up from a brutal on-ice collision.

On to the morning papers:

• The NHLPA is beginning to consider names for a new union leader writes Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail.
• Stephen Brunt of the Globe & Mail examines the mixed messages that seem to be inherent in hockey in the wake of the Downie hit.
• Kevin Allen of the USA Today has a neat piece about what to watch for entering the 2007/08 NHL season.
• It appears that Marc Staal is going to make the Rangers writes John Dellapina of the New York Daily News.
• It looks like Islanders' forward Chris Simon will be held out of tonight's exhibition rematch with the Rangers writes Greg Logan of Newsday.
• According to coach John Paddock, Wade Redden and Mike Fisher looked alright on Thursday to be able to resume playing.
• Dean McAmmond is going to choose to believe Steve Downie's apology was sincere; Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun has the story.
• If a deal isn't reached on a new contract for Dany Heatley by the Sens' first regular season game, the two-time 50 goal scorer wants negotiations suspended until season's end.
• With a rash of injuries at Flyers' camp, Jim Dowd may indeed find himself on the opening day roster writes Tim Pannacio of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
• The Coyotes were defeated by the Stars 3-2 in a shootout on Thursday.
• Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette explains that the Penguins' coaching staff wants to see Adam Hall lineup at center prior to deciding whether he will make the club or not.
• Apparently Joe Pavelski hasn't been reading Illegal Curve's rants about how meaningless the NHL preseason is, and is excited to see his name atop the exhibition scoring leaders.
• Jay McKee will be starting the season on the sidelines for the second consecutive season in St. Louis writes Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
• As Lightning coach John Tortorella explains, team toughness is not all about fighting.
• Leafs' coach Paul Maurice will not make a decision on who his starting goalie will be until after Saturday's exhibition game writes Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star. Doug Wilson, GM of the Sharks, believes Leaf fans need to relax about the play of Vesa Toskala; "He will be very good. You just watch," Wilson told the Toronto Sun.
• Good friends Matt Cooke and Brendan Morrison have a knack for knowing where each other are going to be on the ice writes Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province.
• NHL ironman Brendan Morrison has been banged up a bit at training camp and his consecutive games played streak may be in doubt; Elliot Pap of the Vancouver Sun has the story.
• Markus Naslund lined up with the Sedin brothers on Thursday but there are no guarantees that he will lineup in that slot to start the season.
• Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution provides an inside look at the excitement of the four youngsters who cracked the opening day Thrashers' lineup.
• After injuring his shoulder early in the preseason, Bruins' defenseman Zdeno Chara is expected to be back in the lineup for the team's first regular season game next week. Meanwhile, expectations are high for Bruins' off-season acquisition Peter Schaefer, who will see himself lining up beside Marc Savard on the team's top scoring line.
• Even without playing a preseason game, Lindy Ruff seems confident that Tim Connolly will be ready for the Sabres' first regular season game a week today.
• Didn't take that long did it? Flames' coach Mike Keenan finally loses it on his team for its lack of work ethic. (Writer's note: A big deal is always made of Keenan getting angry, however, after watching the Flames float through much of last season, including the playoffs, I think this is exactly what this group of players needs.)
• Jason Karmonos, son of Canes' owner Peter Karmonos, announced his resignation for the organization on Thursday citing personal reasons.
• Luke Decock provides notes from around Canes' camp in this morning's News Observer.
• The Blackhawks players were given the day off on Thursday but Chicago GM Dale Tallon remained hard at work claiming Karel Pilar off waivers from the Atlanta Thrashers.
• As Terry Frei of the Denver Post tells us, Jose Theodore made his first appearance of the season at Avs' practice on Thursday.
• The Blue Jackets will be cutting down their roster by Sunday or Monday writes Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. Meanwhile, Steve Mason, the Jackets' best player during its preseason contest versus Carolina on Thursday night will almost surely be sent back to London of the OHL in the next few days.
• Marty Turco rescues the struggling Stars and it's not even the regular season yet!
• Goaltender Jimmy Howard has been a pleasant surprise for Mike Babcock at Red Wings' camp writes George Sipple in this morning's Detroit Free Press.
• Joanne Ireland informs us that the Oilers spent all of Thursday practicing their powerplay in this morning's Edmonton Journal. The off-season additions of Sheldon Souray and Joni Pitkanen should increase the team's poweplay efficiency.
• Anthony Stewart, Kamil Kreps and Rob Globke are the three players still in camp fighting for the last remaining forward spot in Florida.
• Jonathan Bernier has impressed many at Kings' camp which is why the team was able to release Dan Cloutier.
• Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette explains that Cristobal Huet is undoubtedly the number one netminder for the Habs heading into the season. It looks like Huet is already in top form as he led the Canadiens to a 3-2 victory over the Bruins on Thursday night.
• Jacques Lemaire is going to give all of his youngsters who are fighting for a roster spot a chance to strut their stuff tonight versus St. Louis.
• The Predators are always chasing the Red Wings in the standings and, as John Glennon writes in this morning's Tennessean, this season appears no different.
• There is unfortunate news out of Devils' camp that Colin White has sustained damage to his right eye and specialists are still trying to determine the extent of it. Suffice to say that White is out of the lineup indefinitely.
• In other news at Devils' camp, coach Brent Sutter is no rush to hand out the captaincy.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.