NHL Morning Papers: Conference Finals (Friday Edition)

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

Pittsburgh (2) versus Philadelphia (6):

• The Penguins realized how tough it was to play against a desperate Philadelphia squad last night, writes Dave Molinari. A sloppy first period was the Penguins' downfall last night, writes Gene Collier. It is amazing to think that last night's loss was only Pittsburgh's second since the post-season began in early April. On the injury front, Gary Roberts is out of the Penguins line-up for the next little while with a pneumonia.
• Scott Hartnell was the man last night, writes Sam Donnellon. The Flyers finally just shot the puck on net, writes Phil Sheridan. Rich Hofmann believes the Flyers' best chance for a comeback lies in the crease with Martin Biron. The Flyers played last night's game without the injured Braydon Coburn.

Detroit (1) versus Dallas (5):

• Heading into Game 5, the Red Wings want to improve on the power play. Helene St. James believes the Red Wings will finish the job at home in Game 5. Apparently Gary Bettman agrees with the Tomas Holmstrom call in Game 4.
• The Stars think that Game 5 is the perfect time for Marty Turco to break his Mo-town slump, writes Mike Heika. It would probably be a safe bet to assume that Stars coach Dave Tippett will use the same lines in Game 5 as he did at the end of Game 4. Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News warns Marty Turco that there will be just as much Red Wings traffic as ever in Game 5.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

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Mid-Afternoon Injury News

Just a couple of tidbits that may be of interest to fans and poolies:

• Marty Turco (sore neck) is not accompanying the Stars to Minnesota for their game against the Wild tonight.
• Ducks forward Samuel Pahlsson (abdominal inflamation) may return to the team's lineup either tonight in New York but more likely for tomorrow's game in New Jersey.
• Bruins forward Peter Schaeffer (shin contusion) is out for tomorrow night's game at Buffalo.
• Glen Murray (hip flexor) is expected to be a game-time decision for tomorrow night's game against the Sabres.
• Mark Parrish (concussion) is still not ready to return to the Wild lineup.
• Josh Harding (illness) most likely will not back up Niklas Backstrom tonight against Dallas.
• Dany Heatley (separated shoulder) is returning to the Senators lineup tonight when they take on the Panthers.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• Jim Matheson of the National Post says you would be foolish if you didn't expect a lot of tears tonight when Mark Messier takes the podium for his Hall of Fame induction speech.
• Mike Brehm of USA Today takes a look at each of the four Hall of Fame inductees and their respective qualifications.

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• In this morning's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bill Tiller wonders if Thrashers' GM and coach Don Waddell will have a goaltending controversy on his hands when Kari Lehtonen returns from injury.
• The Bruins were happy to end their four-game losing streak on Saturday and, as a result, were given Sunday off. Bruins' goaltender Tim Thomas has been absolutely tremendous this season writes Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald.
• The Sabres have only scored four goals in their last four games and now sit tied with the Oilers and Capitals for last place in the NHL standings.
• Luke Decock of the News Observer profiles Hall of Fame inductee Ron Francis in this morning's paper. In other Canes' news, injured forward Andrew Ladd is hoping to be able to take part in battle drills and practice by Tuesday.
• The Panthers are hoping to get Bryan Allen back from his concussion for Thursday's game against the Capitals. Meanwhile, Florida forward Brett McLean will be out of the lineup for a while as an Ilya Kovalchuk slapshot broke the metacarpal bone in his right finger.
• Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette details the maturation and progression of Habs' defenseman Mike Komisarek.
• Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger provides readers with the Devils' perspective of the Scott Stevens induction to the Hall of Fame tonight. On the ice, Martin Brodeur goes for his 500th career win at home tonight versus the Penguins.
• The Rangers, at least for now, have given up on any Drury or Gomez with Jagr combination, and now have four solid and evenly spread out forward lines.
• Things are looking rosy on the Island right now opines Greg Logan of Newsday.
• Daniel Alfredsson has evolved into quite a leader in the Senators' dressing room writes Chris Stevenson of the Ottawa Sun. Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen tells readers to expect Martin Gerber to start at least three of the Senators' next four games.
• The Flyers' penalty killing has been impressive in the last few weeks. "Our penalty-killing has really been coming," says Flyers' coach John Stevens.
• If the Penguins want to turnaround their season, they have to stop giving up the first goal of the game to their opponent writes Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette. The Pens should be well-rested for tonight's game versus the Devils after coach Michel Therrien gave the team Sunday off.
• Many teams would have panicked, but John Tortorella and Jay Feaster kept their composure during the early season slumping and injuries incurred by the Lightning and it has paid off in the team's recent success.
• Pavel Kubina has been lost to the Leafs indefinitely with a injury to his MCL in his right knee. Leafs' defenseman Wade Belak says that Rangers' forward Sean Avery will get what's coming to him eventually and most players in the NHL won't be sad to see it.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• It took him awhile, but Aaron Miller has finally begun to his his stride, which is just in time to pick up the slack for the other Canucks' injured defensemen. Meanwhile, feisty forward Jeff Cowan is almost ready to return to game-action after missing eleven games with a hip ailment. For all that the veterans contribute to the team, the key for the Canucks is that the Sedin twins have finally found their legs.
• Jeremy Roenick had a rather tame after-party to celebrate his 500th career NHL goal.
• Predators' coach Barry Trotz wants forward Jordin Tootoo to play every game like he played Saturday's game versus Columbus writes John Glennon of the Tennessean. In injury news, coach Trotz said that the earliest Shea Weber could return to the lineup would be Saturday against St. Louis.
• The Wild just didn't have enough firepower to defeat division leading Colorado last night in Denver losing the game 4-2. Injured Wild winger Marian Gaborik is hoping to play on the team's current road trip but doesn't want to comeback too early writes Michael Russo of the Star Tribune.
• After Saturday's win over the Flames, Oilers' coach Craig MacTavish made sure to give his team some much needed rest on Sunday writes Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun.
• The Hawks continued their role as Wings-killer last night ruining Detroit's chance to win ten games in a row. The Detroit goaltending situation is not as tense as you may think, as both goalies have made it a friendly rotation writes Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.
• The Stars will not be forgetting their Saturday night meltdown for a while; "Other than embarrassing, it's a total lack of respect for each other, in my mind," said goaltender Marty Turco.
• Curtis Glencross was a late addition to the lineup on Saturday and maybe Ken Hitchcock should make that more of a ritual with the youngster as he played a great game against the Predators. Here are the Blue Jackets' projected lines for tonight's rematch versus Nashville.
• With last night's 4-2 win over the Wild, the Avs moved to an impressive 9-1 at home this season. However, it wasn't all good news for the Avalanche as they lost the services of checking winger Ian Lapperiere for 2-4 weeks with a sprained right knee.
• The Hawks not only impressed the over 19,000 people who came to the United Center last night with their win over the Red Wings, but they also impressed the television viewers who were able to watch a Hawks home game for the first time in years.
• Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun still thinks the Flames will make the playoffs even though they have squandered an early-season home-heavy schedule.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Fantasy Watch: Goalie Starts

November 12th - 18th

Anaheim Ducks (3) – Bryzgalov has hit a slump, winning only one game since October 15th.

Atlanta Thrashers (2) – Expect Lehtonen to handle both starts for this short week.

Boston Bruins (2) – Fernandez has been sidelined with a knee sprain, so unless he comes back, expect Thomas to get both starts.

Buffalo Sabres (2) – Miller should be the recipient of both starts.

Carolina Hurricanes (4) – With a busy schedule and back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, backup John Grahame should receive one start.

Calgary Flames (3) – The Flames may elect to give Kiprusoff a rest on back-to-back away games.

Chicago Blackhawks (3) – Khabibulin should appear in all three games this week.

Columbus Blue Jackets (3) – Look for Leclaire to get the nod for all three games this week.

Colorado Avalanche (2) – It appears the Avalanche are going with a 50/50 split between Theodore and Budaj.

Dallas Stars (2) – Turco should receive both starts this week.

Detroit Red Wings (3) – Hasek has not played since October 24th.

Edmonton Oilers (3) – Expect Garon to appear in one game due to Roloson's struggles.

Florida Panthers (4) – With a busy week, backup Anderson may see some time in net.

Los Angeles Kings (3) – LaBarbera and Sebastian-Aubin have been splitting time.

Minnesota Wild (4) – Backstrom has been superb in his first year as Minnesota's starter.

Montreal Canadiens (3) – The last time Montreal had back-to-back games, backup Carey Price
received a start.

Nashville Predators (3) – If Mason continues to play poorly, then expect to see more of backup Dan Ellis.

New Jersey Devils (4) – Weekes may see some action with a busy schedule.

New York Islanders (3) – DiPietro has gotten off to a fast start going 7-3-0.

New York Rangers (3) – Lundqvist is the only thing keeping New York out of last place.

Ottawa Senators (2) – Gerber has been the man in Ottawa thus far.

Philadelphia Flyers (3) – Expect Biron to appear in all three games this week.

Phoenix Coyotes (3) – Auld and Tellqvist have been splitting time.

Pittsburgh Penguins (3) – Fluery has gotten off to a rough start, but is bound to pick it up shortly.

San Jose Sharks (4) – Nabokov has started San Jose's first 15 games, but may get a rest this week with four games on the scheduale.

St. Louis Blues (3) – Legace has struggled recently, but is still the #1 guy in St. Louis.

Tampa Bay Lightining (2) – Expect Holmqvist to start both games.

Toronto Maple Leafs (3) – Even though Toskala has struggled, the Leafs continue to ride with
him.

Vancouver Canucks (3) – Luongo should receive all three starts this week.

Washington Capitals (2) – With a short week, Kolzig should appear in both games.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis

Fantasy Watch: Goaltender Starts

October 29th – November 4th
# of games in brackets

Anaheim Ducks (2)– With two games on the schedule expect a split between J.S. Giguere and Ilya Bryzgalov

Atlanta Thrashers (3) – Lehtonen is still on the IR with an injured groin, so expect to see more of Johan Hedberg, but Ondrej Pavelec may steal a start or two.

Boston Bruins (3) – Tim Thomas has outplayed newcomer Manny Fernandez early on making his case for the #1 job.

Buffalo Sabres (2) – Miller has struggled to begin the season, and with two games back-to-back, look for Thibault to start one of them.

Calgary Flames (3) – With no reliable backup, expect Kiprusoff to get all the starts.

Carolina Hurricanes (2) – Ward has not lost a game in regulation this season.

Chicago Blackhawks (3) - Khabibulin is #1, but playing back-to-back games will allow Lalime to steal a start.

Columbus Blue Jackets (3) - Leclaire has been quite a surprise thus far, already compiling four shutouts.

Colorado Avalanche (2) – Budaj is slowly putting to rest any controversy in Colorado.

Dallas Stars (3) – The Stars may give Turco a rest this week.

Detroit Red Wings (2) – Osgood should be given both starts as Hasek is day-to-day with a sore hip.

Edmonton Oilers (2) – Although Roloson is struggling, he's still #1.

Florida Panthers (3) – Playing on Friday and Saturday should give backup Craig Anderson a
start.

Los Angeles Kings (3) - With several goaltenders vying for the #1 job, your guess is as good as mine.

Minnesota Wild (3) – Backstrom has Minnesota fans forgetting all about Manny Fernandez.

Montreal Canadiens (3) – Huet is allowing Montreal a chance to bring Price along slowly.

Nashville Predators (4) – Mason has struggled recently and with four games on the schedule expect backup Dan Ellis to get a start.

New Jersey Devils (3) – Weekes should see action as the Devils play back-to-back games.

New York Islanders (4) – Expect Dubielewicz to receive a start during this busy week.

New York Rangers (3) – Lundqvist has started every game thus far.

Ottawa Senators (3) - Gerber is still red hot and should continue to see plenty of starts come his way.

Philadelphia Flyers (3) – Biron is leading the Flyers back into contention.

Phoenix Coyotes (3) – No clear #1 as of yet

Pittsburgh Penguins (3) - Fleury will most likely receive all the starts.

San Jose Sharks (3) – Nabokov has lead San Jose to first place in the Pacific Conference

St. Louis Blues (4) – With back-to-back games, Toivonen should steal a start.

Tampa Bay Lightining (4) – Holmqvist has performed well thus far, but with four games, Denis may make an appearance.

Toronto Maple Leafs (3) – Toskala is slowly emerging as the #1 guy.

Vancouver Canucks (2) – Luongo has played poorly, but expect him to turn it around sooner than later.

Washington Capitals (3) – Backup Brent Johnson should see some playing time as Washington will probably opt against using Kolzig on back-to-back games.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis