NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition): Canucks within two points of Blackhawks, Avery very effective for Rangers and Moen scores in return to Anaheim

Here are the morning papers for Monday the 16th of March:

• After yesterday’s loss to the Sharks at home, the Ducks now sit 12th in the Western Conference standings.  The Ducks’ best still wasn’t good enough, writes Randy Youngman.  The Ducks honored Travis Moen last night.
• Mike Knobler provides some significant numbers from Thrashers camp.
• Boston blew a third period lead to the Penguins on Sunday afternoon and lost by a final score of 6-4.  Kevin Paul Dupont isn’t liking the way the Bruins are playing right now.  Boston has to do a better job of protecting the slot.  ” I think we’re still trying to find exactly our identity again,” said Bruins rookie winger Blake Wheeler.
• If the Sabres want to make the playoffs, they are going to have start beating the bad teams.
• The Flames have a nice little friendly battle going for which one of Jokinen, Iginla and Cammalleri finishes the season with the most goals.  This Flames team is loaded with first round draft picks.  Calgary has to get back to a commitment to defense.
• The Blackhawks aren’t sticking to their system, according to winger Dustin Byfuglien.
• The Avalanche embarassed the game of hockey in the first period last night at Vancouver, writes Adrian Dater.  Dater also talks about Ray Bourque’s massive thighs in his mailbag.
• With the Red Wings on their game last night the Jackets couldn’t keep up, writes Aaron Portzline.  Ken Hitchcock was not happy with the Jackets’ power play.  This letdown game was inevitable, writes Michael Arace.
• Dallas coach Dave Tippett is gaining more confidence in defenseman Nicklas Grossman.
• Mike Babcock was happy with the way his team responded after it was embarassed by the Blue Jackets a week earlier.  Last night’s victory gave the Wings nine straight 100 point seasons.  Meanwhile, Brian Rafalski flies under the radar and really has no problem with that.
• Youngster Theo Peckham is feeling more comfortable for the Oilers these days.  Patrick O’Sullivan is now playing on a line with Ales Hemsky.
• The Panthers have a really poor shootout record this season.  The Cats have to watch for teams that have nothing to lose.
• The Kings host the Predators tonight at the Staples Center.
• Last night’s loss to St. Louis made it nine losses in the Wild’s last eleven games.  It looks like Andrew Brunette may have knee surgery after the season.
• In Montreal, Jack Todd doesn’t understand the Carbonneau firing.
• Martin Brodeur can break the wins record on Tuesday night against Chicago.
• Islanders netminder Peter Mannino won his first NHL game yesterday at Chicago and was happy that his family was in the crowd.
• “We are starting to believe we are a good team,” said Sean Avery after scoring two goals and leading the Rangers to a 4-1 home victory over Philadelphia.  Avery isn’t the only pickup who has been playing well for the Rangers.  The Rangers played as well as they have in a long time yesterday afternoon.
• The Senators’ number one priority this off-season should be signing Anton Volchenkov to a contract extension.
• Flyers coach John Stevens thought his players got too riled up by Sean Avery’s antics.  Jeff Carter is the Flyers’ ironman.
• Chris Kunitz has been a terrific pickup for the Penguins, and his acquisition sure paid off yesterday.  The Penguins changed up their power play on Sunday and it worked out quite well.  The Penguins have sold out 100 straight games.
• Travis Moen was the star last night for the Sharks, as he returned to Anaheim and scored the game’s only goal.
• The Blues finished their four-game homestand with a 3-1 record, as they defeated the struggling Wild in St. Louis yesterday.  With yesterday’s win, the Blues are one point away from a playoff spot.
• The players in Tampa Bay have stuck together, even with all the distractions outside the dressing room.
• Ron Wilson is helping Mikhail Grabovski mature.  Lots of Leafs could be headed to the World Championships.
• Alex Burrows is on fire and the Canucks are benefitting for it, as they defeated the Avalanche 4-2 at home last night.  The Canucks are within two points of the fourth place Blackhawks.
• Looks like Brian Pothier is finally ready to return to the Capitals lineup.