NHL Morning Papers (Wednesday Edition): Zetterberg inks long extension, the Oilers get embarassed and it’s time for Mats Sundin to take over

Here are the morning papers for Wednesday the 28th of January:

• The Ducks sure made a statement in the team’s first game back after the All-Star break, writes Dan Wood.
• Aside from Kari Lehtonen, none of the Thrashers really showed up in Dallas on Tuesday, explains Mike Knobler.  Meanwhile, Brian Little thinks Mark Messier is intense.
• The Bruins didn’t play their best last night, but they defeated the Capitals anyways.  Last night’s game marked the return of Milan Lucic, Andrew Ference and Patrice Bergeron to the lineup.
• For teams that hardly play each other, the Oilers and Sabres sure have a lot in common.
• No news is good news for the Flames on the suspension front.  It’s Michigan versus Michigan State in Calgary tonight.  Jarome Iginla feels re-energized after the All-Star break.  Predictions for tonight’s game from the Calgary Herald staff.
• The Hurricanes were improved on special teams, but they still couldn’t defeat the Rangers, writes Chip Alexander.
• The Blackhawks are trying new lines in an attempt to get the team’s offense going.
• The Avalanche missed a couple open nets and lost in Claude Lemieux’s return to the rockies.  The only player on the Colorado roster last night who played with Lemieux was Milan Hejduk.  Paul Stastny is still expected to be out of the lineup for a couple more weeks.  David Jones came back from injury last night, then got injured again.
• Ken Hitchcock’s power play adjustments worked against Detroit.  Adjustments are fine and dandy but having a guy named Rick Nash sure helps too.  Steve Mason looked as good as he did in the first half of the season.
• The Stars played a strong defensive game and recorded the team’s first shutout of the season.  Fabian Brunnstrom has been sent to the AHL for a two-game conditioning stint.
• The Red Wings have apparently signed Henrik Zetterberg to a 12 year, $72 million contract extension.  Here’s how the Wings looked without Datsyuk and Lidstrom last night.  Speaking of Lidstrom, he may need post-season surgery.
• Edmonton’s performance on Tuesday was, “debacle of monumental proportions,” according to coach Craig MacTavish.  Dwayne Roloson wasn’t exactly sharp last night.  Jaroslav Spacek has good memories of his time in Edmonton.  In injury news, Sam Gagner is expected to miss 10-14 days with an ankle injury.
• The Panthers picked up an impressive victory over the visiting Flyers on Tuesday.  Peter DeBoer has the Capitals thinking playoffs.  Ville Peltonen returned to the lineup last night.
• Pierre-Marc Bouchard responded well to Jacques Lemaire’s coaching tactics in Tuesday’s win over Toronto.  Prior to last night’s game, Lemaire warned his troops of how many road games are ahead.
• The Habs had their chances last night against Tampa but couldn’t capitalize.  Former Habs winger Mark Recchi is still giving it his all.
• Pekka Rinne starts tonight for Nashville in Vancouver.
• The Devils made it six wins in a row last night in Ottawa.  John Madden is no longer the checking center most think.
• Mark Streit is finally get league-wide credit, writes Greg Logan.
• The Rangers have waived Dan Fristche.  Last night’s win over Carolina was a good start for the Blueshirts.  Maybe Scott Gomez is finally turning the corner in New York.
• The Senators were that bad against New Jersey on Tuesday night, writes Bruce Garrioch.
• Sure they lost toughness on the back-end this summer, but coach John Stevens contests that the Philadelphia defense isn’t soft.  The Flyers think Daniel Briere should be back on the ice soon.  Last  night wasn’t a good start to the second half for the Flyers.
• Wayne Gretzky thinks Anaheim wanted last night’s game more than his team did.
• The Penguins have little margin for error in their push to secure a playoff spot.  Pascal Dupuis and Max Talbot are expected to play tonight.  Kris Letang has been very steady for the Pens in his sophomore season.
• Evgeni Nabokov was great in the Sharks’ first game after the All-Star break in shutting out the Avs.  Dan Boyle was injured in the All-Star game and did not suit up yesterday.
• The Bolts got off to a nice second half start by defeating the high-flying Habs 5-3.  Lightning defenseman Jamie Heward is still recovering from the Alexander Ovechkin hit.
• So much for Justin Pogge time in Toronto.  He wasn’t good, but Pogge didn’t exactly get his teammates’ best effort.
• It’s time for Mats Sundin to start taking over games, writes Iain MacInytre.  Canucks coach Alain Vigneault has confidence that will be the case.
• The Capitals take too many penalties and don’t have a good power play, and that combination cost them on Tuesday.