Montreal versus Boston:
- Jack Todd of the Montreal Gazette says that there is no team in the Eastern Conference that the Canadiens cannot beat. Carey Price will be the key for the Habs.
- You can't fool Kevin Paul Dupont and convince him you thought the Bruins would make the playoffs. Fluto Shinwaza provides readers with lots of Bruins injury news in the team's notebook.
Pittsburgh versus Ottawa:
- Now that the Penguins got through Sunday's regular season finale in good health, the team is ready to focus on the playoffs. The Penguins/Senators series starts on Wednesday. Here were the statistical leaders for the Penguins during the regular season.
- Senators coach Bryan Murray is happy to face the Penguins in the first round once again this playoffs. Chris Stevenson of the Ottawa Sun has the injury details for the Senators. This playoff run will be Wade Redden's last with the Senators franchise.
Washington versus Philadelphia:
- The Capitals are hoping to start the playoffs against the Flyers just like they did the Bruce Boudreau era versus Philly earlier this season. You have to give George McPhee some credit for the job he did improving the Capitals at the trade deadline, writes Thom Loverro.
- Martin Biron is heading into the first round coming off of two consecutive shutouts, writes Sam Donnellon. The Flyers are looking forward to the challenge of facing Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals.
New Jersey versus New York Rangers:
- The Devils were happy to have finally beat the Rangers on Sunday, but they were happier that they clinched home-ice advantage over the Blueshirts in the first round. The Devils/Rangers match up will see a couple of players suit up who have played for both teams during their careers.
- Unlike in 2006, the Devils will have to deal with Jaromir Jagr for more than a game during this playoffs, writes Larry Brooks. Brendan Shanahan isn't going to fixate on the Rangers not getting home-ice advantage yesterday.
Western Conference Playoffs
Detroit versus Nashville:
- Tomas Holmstrom suited up in Sunday's regular season finale, in order to be ready for the playoffs this week, writes Helene St. James. Needless to say, the Wings are no easy match up in the playoffs.
- The Predators have been playing so well lately, that it has given them extra confidence heading into the first round versus Detroit.
San Jose versus Calgary:
- "They've got a great team - great goaltending, good forwards, powerful defense," said Sharks forward Joe Thornton about the Flames. Here is the Sharks/Flames first round schedule.
- The Flames are sure going to have their hands full, writes Steve MacFarlane. The Flames will not be lacking class in the series as they will be led by the classy Jarome Iginla.
Minnesota versus Colorado:
- The Wild/Avalanche game on Sunday got intense near the end, which is surely a sign of what is to come over the next two weeks, writes Michael Russo. Did the Wild start Josh Harding because they wanted to play against the Avalanche instead of the Flames?
- Ian Lapperiere set the tone for this series by going after Marian Gaborik late in last night's game. It looks like Andrew Brunette will be out to get revenge...against himself. Jacques Lemaire may not be trying to motivate Peter Forsberg, but that doesn't mean these comments won't serve to motivate Peter the Great.
Anaheim versus Dallas:
- The Ducks are ready to start the playoffs already, writes Dan Wood. Teemu Selanne has his team ready for a long playoff run, writes Mark Whicker. Here is the Ducks/Stars first round schedule.
- The Stars are expecting to have a fairly healthy team for the start of the first round. The Stars are heading into the playoffs with the momentum of Sunday's victory over San Jose.
The non-playoff team morning papers will be posted around 11:15 cst...
For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.
Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com
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