NHL Morning Papers (Holiday Monday Edition)

Here are the morning papers for Monday the 13th of October:

• Not much has changed about the CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast, opines Chris Zelkovich.
• Blackhawks coach Denis Savard wants his team to simplify its play on the power play, writes Chris Kuc.
• The Avalanche once again outplayed their opponent last night, and once again lost the game, writes Adrian Dater.  Peter Budaj hasn’t exactly inspired confidence, but Andrew Raycroft is still slated to play about every four games or so.
• The Oilers were outplayed last night but got lucky with a late goal by Dustin Penner and walked away from their tilt with Colorado with a 3-2 victory.  The Oil was basically outclassed in all facets of the game.  “It was a stinker,” said Edmonton coach Craig MacTavish.
• Marc-Andre Bergeron feels like the Wild organization has confidence in him.  Brian Stensaas of the Star Tribune tells us that Wild center Eric Belanger knows he has the ability to score.
• The Ducks just seem to be squeezing their sticks too hard, writes Randy Youngman.  Anaheim just made too many mistakes last night to come out with a win.
• The Kings were better on Sunday versus San Jose than they were on Saturday but they still lost.  To make matters worse, defenseman Jack Johnson left yesterday’s game with an arm injury.
• The Habs are looking for revenge tonight when they face the Flyers in Philadelphia.
• The Senators have lots to work on right now, writes Bruce Garrioch.
• The Canucks are awaiting word on Kevin Bieksa’s MRI on his knee.
• The Capitals are taking a page out of the old Calgary Flames’ books and giving out a hard hat after victories to the hardest working player.
• Ron Wilson wants his team’s youngsters to work on being more consistent, writes Steve Buffery.
• Jeff Halpern is hoping to return to the Lightning’s roster by around mid-December.  Meanwhile the Lightning have an interest in free agent defenseman Marek Malik.
• Lee Stempniak is going to miss the Blues’ game versus Toronto on Monday, so as a result, the team has switched up its lines.
• Brian Boucher was happy to get into a game early the season and was even happier that he recorded a shutout in his team’s 1-0 victory.
• Kris Letang is averaging over 24 minutes per game so far this season.  Off the ice, the Penguins aren’t overly concerned about Jordan Staal’s contract status yet.
• On the back of strong performances from their youngsters, the Coyotes defeated Anaheim in Orange County last night.
• The Flyers need to go out and get a defenseman, writes Ed Moran of the Philadelphia Daily News.
• Still no change on the Brendan Shanahan front, explains Larry Brooks.  One team will no longer be unbeaten when the Rangers meet the Devils on Tuesday.
• Greg Logan of Newsday sets forth the standard that Islanders fans expect from back up netminder Joey McDonald.
• Devils GM Lou Lamoriello doesn’t like when his players cheat, explains Mark Everson.
• Here are some news and notes surrounding the Predators from Jessica Bliss.
• Everyone is happy to see Panthers forward Richard Zednik back on the ice after last year’s scary, scary injury.  Meanwhile, it is early but the Panthers are looking better on the penalty kill.
• The Wings continue to emphasize getting shots on net, writes Dave Dye.  Here are the Red Wings’ new power play units.
• Due to his actions over the weeeknd, Sean Avery’s next game misconduct will already result in a suspension.
• The Chimera-Brassard-Voracek line has been a pleasantly productive for the Blue Jackets this season.
• The Hurricanes have fallen behind their opponent twice this season but with the Wings up next they have to make sure that doesn’t happen.
• The Sabres begin a tough four games in six days stretch beginning tonight.
• The Bruins defense is still in the process of learning how to be offensive, writes Fluto Shinzawa.
• So far John Anderson’s move to shift Bryan Little to the wing has been a success.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.

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