NHL Morning Papers: Playoff Teams (Friday Edition)

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


Detroit versus Nashville:

• Goaltending switch aside, the Red Wings need to focus on controlling the puck more and winning draws, writes Helene St. James. In between the pipes, Dominik Hasek does not seem to moping around after being benched for tonight's Game 5. Meanwhile, Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press is not a fan of rotating goalies. The Predators have never won a road playoff game, so the Wings are hoping to continue that streak tonight at the Joe.
• The Predators know that if they want to win this series, they will need to win at least one road game, writes John Glennon. The Predators' attitude towards scoring hasn't changed with Chris Osgood being named starter.

San Jose versus Calgary:

• Jonathan Cheechoo has given the Sharks a huge boost the past two games, writes Mark Purdy. Mark Emmons of the San Jose Mercury News was impressed with the Flames' determination last night. (Writer's note: If you are playing a must-win playoff game and you could choose any player in the world, how could you not choose Jarome Iginla right now? He's been that good.) It looks like Kyle McLaren may be lost to the Sharks for Game 6 with a knee injury. (Writer's note: The guys at Battle of California get their wish!)
• "Now we have to win two games in a row and we believe we can do it," said Flames captain Jarome Iginla after last night's tough 4-3 loss at San Jose. The Flames played well but their defenseman made key mistakes and that is why they are heading back to Calgary down 3-2. Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun bluntly states that the Flames' secondary scoring just hasn't been there.

Minnesota versus Colorado:

• Jose Theodore is the main reason the Wild is down 3-2 in the series going back to Colorado, writes Michael Russo. Has anyone seen Marian Gaborik? The slick Slovak has disappeared since the playoffs began, writes Jim Souhan. The Wild is hoping to get a lead in Game 6 as they know it is far easier to play from ahead using their style.
• Adrian Dater predicted the Wild would win Game 5, so it is fair to say Jose Theodore single-handedly spoiled his prediction. Woody Paige agrees that Theodore is the reason the Avalanche is up 3-2. Shockingly Terry Frei makes it a trifecta of Theodore won Game 5 articles.

Anaheim versus Dallas:

• The Ducks took a couple bad penalties and made some inopportune mistakes and that is why they find themselves down 3-1 to Dallas heading back to the Honda Center. The Ducks have to play more simple hockey or they'll be golfing in a week. Are the Ducks going to start Jonas Hiller in Game 5?
• The Stars are getting terrific contributions from their young players, writes Brandon George. Marty Turco has been one of the main reasons that the Ducks have not been able to sustain forechecking pressure. Turco was terrific last night, writes J.J. Taylor.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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

Pre-Game Report

Here are some news and notes heading into tonight's eight game slate:

• Chuck Kobasew (leg) will be out of the Bruins line up for 4-8 weeks.
• Marc Savard (back) is out for tonight's game versus Toronto, and both his team's game over the weekend.
• Andrew Ference (knee) is out tonight.
• Scott Gomez (ribs) will surprisingly be a game-time decision tonight.
• Wade Redden (knee) is out for tonight.
• Martin Gerber gets the start in net for Ottawa.
• Alexei Zhitnik (healthy scratch) is not playing tonight for Atlanta.
• Kari Lehtonen gets the start in net versus the Panthers.
• Mike Smith (knee) is out of the lineup tonight for Tampa.
• Karri Ramo gets the start for the Bolts tonight.
• Jonathan Cheechoo (head, neck) is out again for the Sharks.
• Craig Rivet (upper-body) returns to the line up tonight.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

NHL Morning Papers--Western Conference (Tuesday Edition)

Here are the Northwest Division morning papers:

• After last night's 5-3 victory over the Wild at Rexall place, it is fair to say that the Oilers are streaking through the quad and into the gymnasium right now. The young Oilers just cannot stop scoring, writes Dan Barnes of the Edmonton Journal. The Edmonton Sun hands out the grades for last night's game.
• The Wild were outplayed in all aspects of the game on Tuesday, writes Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. Last night's game marked the end of Pierre-Marc Bouchard's consecutive game streak.
• The Oilers were hoping for the Flames for a change, but Calgary did their provincial rivals no favors last night, as they lost 2-0 at Colorado. "They were more desperate," said Flames coach Mike Keenan after the contest.
• Jose Theodore pitched a shutout for the Avalanche in their biggest game of the season, writes Adrian Dater. Jordan Leopold is trying to prove that not every Avalanche trade with the Flames turns into a disaster, writes Terry Frei.
• If the Canucks want to defeat the Flames tonight they have to control Jarome Iginla, writes Marc Weber of the Vancouver Province.

Here are the Pacific Division morning papers:

• The Sharks may play tonight's game versus Phoenix without Jonathan Cheechoo or Patrick Rismiller.
• What's old is new again, as the Stars are hoping Mike Modano can help the offense and turn around the team's recent troubles.
• The Coyotes are hoping Radim Vrbata can break out of his sixteen game goal-less drought, writes Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic.
• The Ducks are expecting J.S. Giguere and Ryan Getzlaf to return from injury for Wednesday's game versus L.A.

**There were no L.A. Kings articles this morning**

Here are the Central Division morning papers:

• Some of the Blues took exception to Denis Savard's comments about the team's physical tactics over the weekend.
• Dan Ellis will get the call tonight for the Predators, as they face the Blue Jackets. It has not yet been decided if Pekka Rinne will get a chance to start in any of the Predators' last few regular season games.
• While the Red Wings will be getting Daniel Cleary back in the team's line up tonight, winger Tomas Holmstrom does not seem close to a return. Bill Dow has a feature on the legendary Gordie Howe as he closes in on his 80th birthday.
• If the Blue Jackets fail to make the playoffs, they at least want to take the Predators with them, writes Aaron Portzline. The Jackets are hoping Nikolai Zherdev can break out of his slump. Here are the Jackets' projected lines for tonight's contest.
• After practice yesterday, Denis Savard did not back down from the comments he made over the weekend, writes Chris Kuc.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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